Movie Review: Jockey

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A

One of the most moving and powerful stories about any type of athlete I have seen in a movie theater in a long time. 

Films about a washed-up athlete having to come to terms with being washed up is nothing new in the movie world, but few of them have moved me the way Jockey did. Much of this is due to the fact that it does not feel like those other movies in the slightest. This is a very quiet and somewhat slow-moving film, that feels like it is more concerned with having you spend time with these characters rather than focusing on any major plot points or sports related scenes. Throughout the film we see very little footage of any of the characters in an actaul horse race but spend most of the time with what they do when they are not racing. First time feature film director (as well as the film's co-writer) Clint Bentley (whose father was actually a jockey) sees the beauty and power in all the things most filmmakers would miss, making the most subtle and seemingly the most mundane moments the most touching and heartbreaking. Every moment of this film feels completely genuine and honest. However, all this would have been for nothing if the movie did not have a good lead. Luckily the film stars Clifton Collins Jr. For decades Collins has been playing supporting roles in many major films but has rarely had the chance to play the lead. With this film he fully proves this is a shame. His perfromance here is nothing short of amazing. Every second he is on screen he commands our attention and perfectly for this movie he does it in a truly subtle way. Behind this performance there is a deep humanity that resonates with the audience and makes this character feel completely real. Even during the scenes where his actions are less than admirable, we can clearly see the pain behind these actions making it impossible to stop caring for this guy.   

A must see.