pagantash
Not sure about other reviews that detail it's obvious film location as Canada based upon the pronunciation of "about" (a-boot)? The only people that say a-boot instead of about is the entire state of Minnesota. Plot is embarrassingly cliché. An adult man who maintains a position as a mechanic, but can't repair a car begs the question of how he was responsible enough to make it to father, homeowner and husband. As a horseman, blacksmith and farrier I find the very idea of making a movie using "calf penning" as a glory sport full of reward and big riches, very misleading. Additionally our leading lady could not pen if her life depended on it as all she can do is run a horse full out in a couple of scenes. No neck reining for cutting? Almost reminded me of weekend cowboys on renta horses, all elbows and heels flailing. The comeback dad, the accident that took him out of the running as a star, to the ex-partner who sold his horse, leaving dad to determine he can no longer compete, is totally unbelievable. I found it almost funny that he was fired for not putting oil in a customers car during a repair, and then, later in the movie, telling his ex-partner to get off his property by the time he's finished putting oil in his own truck. As far as it being a Canadian film, with a Canadian perspective on "our" way of life? Not sure who "our" or "us" is as the west and western way of life is not an American perspective alone.
edwagreen
Interesting but cliché film dealing with a rodeo family. The father was injured in an accident some years before and that ended his career.Mom works as a waitress in a restaurant while the daughter dreams of becoming a vet while doing some ride competing for the family to earn dollars.Dad loses his job and it looks like the daughter will never get to college to pursue her dreams as she is dropping out. I love the way she drops back in by handing in her extra credit project to gain a scholarship and then catch up on the work she missed. Before all this, she tutors a boy in biology and love blossoms.With the horses conking out, dad suddenly is able to ride again and prevail. Daddy had lost his job as a repair person for not being that responsible on the job.We've seen this before. I gave it *** for those who like riding but really this is a **1/2 production.
heathentart
Yet ANOTHER Hallmark movie that adds nothing to entertainment. Yet ANOTHER horsey movie in which no one knows the last thing about horses, especially the riders.Yet ANOTHER waste of time for the viewers.The story is again the same - overbearing parent who needs to learn a "life" lesson. A child who is devoted to her family, even to the point of being used by them for their own gain.Hallmark has a fine history of truly abysmal movies, all with the cheapest production values and usually with one known actor amid a crowd of unknowns. This is no different. I haven't a clue who the actress is that plays Brooke, the daughter. Stephen Collins I know well - he's the sole "name" in the bunch.The story? Daughter wants to be a veterinarian. Dad wants her to be big-time rodeo star. Mom flitters around the background, uttering bleats of concern, all the while plucking a guitar for her lost dream of being a singer.What this movie needs for all its lost characters is a big EXIT sign.I hope everyone who reads this realizes the great sacrifice I made in sticking with this movie till the end, just so I could honorably write this review.And my last point? I know it's cheaper to film in Canada, BUT STOP IT ALREADY!!!! You are not fooling a soul. We KNOW it's set in the United States (supposedly Washington State), but we can tell it's Canada. Enough already. I get homesick for the States watching these movies.OK, that wasn't my last point. I was truly concerned for the horses in this movie. I've ridden all my life, and there's nothing so slick and treacherous as mud (except, perhaps, loose slate in the Grand Tetons, Wyoming). These poor animals were in mud up to their hocks, and I was concerned one of them might get seriously hurt.Move production to Arizona or Texas - make it easier on the animals. Soggy, sodden British Columbia doesn't do it for me.Now where do I go to get my 120-minute refund? 1* out of 10
dkhoover
Kind of a Fluff piece. Having ridden all of my life, and having my Grandfather teach me, even to include corrective Shoeing of a horse, the opening of the movie kind of insults my intelligence. Here is a woman supposedly a top penning rider, and she does not have a clue about how to ride a cutting horse. She holds the reins separately in each hand and reins as if she were reining a plow horse. All riders, even novices know that you hold the reins together and lay them against the side of the horses neck to rein the horse in the direction you wish to go. Also the type of horse that would be doing this type of work, is a cutting horse, and is directed more with leg and knee pressure. A good cutting horse, you can drop the reins on their neck, and work with leg pressure only to direct them, and never touch the reins. Maybe next time they will get a rider who actually knows how to ride a horse. As far as the rest of the movie. About the same. Milk Toast plot, Father has visions of one life for Daughter and Daughter has her own visions. What can I say. Another movie filmed in Canada with a Canadian view on our lives. They do not have a clue about life in the real world.
AD
