Movie review: "Dream Horse" (2020)

     I recently saw the film "Dream Horse", a Sundance production directed by Euros Lyn. The movie is based on a true story, and left me feeling uplifted and optimistic about the potential depth and authenticity of human connection.

    The main character of the film is a lower-middle class middle aged woman in a scrappy, rural Welsh town, who senses the vibrancy of life slipping away from her and her husband. She decided to gather a ragtag group of people from the town to pool their limited funds and form a syndicate to breed a racehorse. For many of the characters, the elegance of the horse and the ecstasy of the racetrack provide an escape from the doldrums of rural Welsh life, and give them a glimpse into what it feels like to accomplish one's dreams. As such, they name the horse Dream Alliance.

    Despite an injury, Dream Alliance fully heals, and comes back to win a few major contests. But the real story is how this communally-owned racehorse brings the sleepy town together, reminding the residents - especially the members of the syndicate - how brilliant and magical life can truly be. 

    I found it impossible not to fall in love with the quirky simplicity of the characters, as they allowed the success - or failure - of their racehorse reignite their passion for living. The conflicts and eventual friendships that formed around the horse were portrayed in the film with such sensitivity and precision, that it was impossible to leave the theater unaffected.

    Whether you have followed your dreams, and or have yet to set out on the next leg of your journey, "Dream Horse" will find a way into your heart.