Dream Horse

Dream Horse is a euphoric delight of a film, based on a true story that brings together a distinctive frame of togetherness, resilience, and hope. Released in 2020, the film is directed by Euros Lyn known for his work in several British television series, and written by Neil McKay. Gripping right from the start, Dream Horse exhibits a compelling story with humor and heart in the right proportion.

The film is centered around the protagonist, Jan Vokes, portrayed by the Australian actress, Toni Collette. Colette personifies the working-class character of Vokes with exceptional mastery, embedding a sense of relatability to her persona. Vokes is a bartender living in a small Welsh village. Her life is typical and uneventful, tending to her ducks and geese during her breaks from work at the local supermarket. Uninspired by her monotonous, low-paying jobs, she yearns to break the shackles of her ordinary life. The threads of her mundane life take a twist when she eavesdrops on a conversation about racehorse ownership in her local pub.

Owen Teale stars as Brian, Jan's husband, who is initially skeptical about her sudden interest in racehorse breeding. But seeing her enthusiasm and determination, he eventually complies. Their neighbor, Howard Davies, played by Damian Lewis, is a tax advisor with a history of owning a racehorse. Together, they form an amateur syndicate and pool in resources to raise a racehorse.

This isn’t a film about ‘reduce, reuse, recycle,' but the takeaway is very similar. Their racehorse "Dream Alliance" is a 'nobody' bred in a dirt patch in their garden. It's a story that sheds light on the tenacity of those who aren't privileged enough to be part of the elitist equestrian world. The fact that Dream Alliance is bred by people who have almost no idea of horse racing is what keeps the narrative engaging.

As the movie progresses, Dream Alliance manifests as a beacon of hope for the townsfolk and residents who invest their hard-earned money into this seemingly impossible dream, all cheering for their horse in the races. The film beautifully encapsulates the unity and aspiration of the entire village in their shared endeavor. The horse brings the community together in an extraordinary yet relatable way, encapsulating the essence of collective passion and dreams.

The screenplay by Neil McKay seamlessly blends humor and heart into the narrative, while Lyn’s direction ensures a lively pacing. The Welsh-based setting with its narrow landscapes, local pubs, hills, and green valleys provides an enchanting backdrop to the story. Prolifically shot, the picturesque views serve as a significant character in the narrative and heighten the narrative's overall impact.

Alan David as Kerby, member of the syndicate, along with other supporting cast, including Joanna Page as Angela, Anthony O'Donnell as Maldwyn, and Nicholas Farrell as Philip Hobbs, deliver noteworthy performances that add texture to the film.

Dream Horse packs an admirable balance of suspense, laughter, and sentiments. Vokes's arc is essentially about finding purpose and inspiration in an otherwise ordinary life, about challenging the stereotypes, and essentially that anyone can aspire to the extraordinary. Collette's performance catalyzes this sentiment-one that's indeed the soul of this movie.

Above all, Dream Horse is an underdog story that champions the spirit of a village against the 'upper-class' horse breeding facilities. This is a film about community spirit, from the bread and butter aspects of the working-class people to their dreams and aspirations. Their horse, Dream Alliance, is a metaphor for their struggles, their hopes, and their unity.

Dream Horse doesn't just fulfill the expectation of an uplifting sports drama but also offers an emotional and inspirational angle to the viewer. With an endearing cast and an engaging screenplay that grips you with suspense and humor, it indeed makes for a fulfilling watch. The movie serves an empowering message on how dreams and determination defy societal shackles.

Finally, the film is charged with an optimistic air that consistently streams throughout the narrative. Dream Horse, in its totality, isn't just a movie about a horse racing sport but about dreams, community, and hope. Dream Horse is thrilling, heartwarming, compelling, humorously relatable, and most importantly, speaks the universal language of dreams and audacity, beautifully captured and heartily delivered.