Lean On Pete: A Difficult Ride!

Writer/Director Andrew Haigh has created an emotionally-compelling film with considerable depth and well-developed characters, but it is so sad at times that it is difficult to watch.  The screenplay was adapted from the novel of the same name written by Willy Vlautin.  I admire the film, but I can't honestly say I enjoyed it, and, therefore, I'm somewhat reluctant to recommend it. Charley Thompson (Charlie Plummer) is a 15-year-old teenager faced with considerable challenges.  He lives with his father who is employed, but they are living either at or below the poverty line.  Unfortunately, Charley's mother ran off when he was very young.  Charley used to live in Seattle and was on the high school football team, but he moved with his dad to Portland, losing his friends in the process. Charlie likes to run, and, one day while running, he winds up meeting Del (Steve Buscemi), a curmudgeonly horse trainer who races quarter-horses at small-time tracks.  Del barely manages to make a living, too.  He could use a little help with his horses, and Charley winds up working for him for $25 per day.  One of the horses is "Lean On Pete," and Charley starts getting attached to him.  Charley also starts hanging out with Del's feisty female jockey, Bonnie (Chloe Sevigny). A tragedy befalls Charley, and he becomes even more emotionally-vulnerable.  "Lean On Pete" isn't winning enough races, which then leads to another crisis.  Charley, being a teenager, doesn't have the experience, wisdom, or maturity to cope with what life is throwing at him.  He just goes reeling from one horrible situation to another, following his heart, for better or for worse. Bottom line: I'm not sure if "Lean On Pete" is a "winner" or not!  However, the performance by Charlie Plummer is exceptional, although I doubt that he will be nominated for an AW.