If the masses were given the list of this years nine Oscar nominees for Best Picture, War Horse would have an excellent chance at winning the prize. Throw in Steven Spielberg and the fact that it is somewhat of a war epic film, and even the Academy might vote for this horse. Unfortunately for all involved in the making of this movie, The Artist is also up for Best Picture, and it is going to win. But if War Horse somehow pulls a Crash, I wouldn't be one bit disappointed. It may be a movie that plays better in more rural areas than in urban ones simple because it requires some sympathy with the down and out farmer type.
Joey, the main...uh...actor(?) in War Horse comes to us by way of Michael Morpurgo's short story of the same name, which was then made into a stage play that opened on Broadway last April and has gone on to win 5 Tony awards. Look some of the stage scenes up on youtube. The way the horses are done is incredible. Just as in the movie, there is something larger-than-life about Joey and War Horse.
At points during the movie I thought it was going to get too predictable and too sappy. It may be a bit predictable, but you are so drawn in to the characters and Joey's journey that all the negatives you may be able to point out, fall to the wayside. If ever I have seen or may have seen an animal act, it is in this movie. We see how Joey is tamed and raised by poor farm boy Albert. How they are torn apart. And how their friendship battles the ultimate tests as they try to find one another in a world savaged by war.
Joey wends his way in and out of several peoples lives who are as much affected by him as he is by them. War Horse gives us something greater to believe in. And reminds us that maybe our lot isn't so bad. But if there comes times of trouble, you just keep fighting. You just keep going. "Walk on Joey. Walk on."
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