'Lean on Pete' Review

Lean on Pete follows Charley Thompson, a fifteen-year-old boy living on the edge of abject poverty with his loving father, as he finds work caring for an aging racehorse named Lean on Pete. When Charley's world is unexpectedly turned upside down, he takes Pete and embarks on a desperate journey in search of a place to call home.

Based on Willy Vlautin's 2010 novel, Lean on Pete is written and directed by Andrew Haigh. On the surface, Lean on Pete may seem to be a sentimental story about a boy and his horse, but it's actually a bleak, troubled coming-of-age tale. Pete certainly plays a substantial role in the proceedings, and effectively jumpstarts the plot, but the spotlight stays on Charley rather than the bond between human and horse. That, in and of itself, was not an issue I had with the film. 

I was actually frustrated by the poor pacing and Charley's concerning character choices. At the film's mid-point, the story switches gears and becomes a whole other animal before plodding along aimlessly like its protagonist. In the second half, Charley behaves a bit irrationally and irresponsibly, which is upsetting because he's been established as an upstanding guy. On his journey, he slowly unravels and descends into delinquency to make do. Aware of his endgame, it just becomes all the more worrisome when you consider how much easier it would have been for Charley had he asked for help or taken assistance whenever it was offered to him. On that note, the adults Charley interacts with while on the run are unbelievably moronic. There's a persisting "now you wait right here" mentality that enables Charley to run away on numerous occasions. Sometimes his escape seems entirely unnecessary, other times it's somewhat justified due to the potential ramifications for his earlier, ll-informed actions. It's becomes a complicated matter because you feel sorry for Charley, but at the same time, you know he should be reprimanded in some way.

In the end, Charley finds solace in his final destination, but he never feels redeemed for his wrongdoing. Punishment instead takes the form of trauma and guilt that will hang over Charley's head for who knows how long. In that sense, writer-director Andrew Haigh is totally in touch with what it means to be human. Choices have consequences that often linger. We have to live with our mistakes and come to grips with our situation before we move onward.

With that being said, Lean on Pete is otherwise a beautiful film despite being mostly devoid of warm emotions. Magnus Nordenhof Jønck's cinematography is a wonder to behold and makes excellent use of the Oregon landscape. It's picturesque to the point you'd actually consider adorning your home with such winsome naturalistic imagery.

Additionally, Lean on Pete bolsters some phenomenal performances from an ensemble of topnotch actors. Charlie Plummer, whom you may remember as J. Paul Getty's grandson in December's All the Money in the World, is absolutely brilliant in the lead role of Charley. Plummer demonstrates a vast emotional range and exceptionally communicates much of the character's inner frustrations through subtle, nuanced expressions. Like many young actors of late, Plummer promises to be another rising talent to watch in the coming years. An ensemble of established names including Steve Buscemi, Travis Fimmel, Chloë Sevigny, Steve Zahn, and Allison Elliott all support Plummer as varying influences on Charley throughout his journey. Buscemi, Fimmel, and Zahn being notable stand-outs of the bunch. 

As a horse of a different color, Lean on Pete is the occasional indie which completely understands the human condition and conveys its coming-of-age story through raw, rugged means. Lean on Pete occasionally loses its way leading the audience to a steady narrative stream, but it eventually reaches the intended endpoint and persuades viewers to drink.

Film Assessment: B