MOVIE MONDAYS: WAR HORSE
Last Friday, I was scrolling through Netflix looking for films I had wanted to watch in the cinema but never had the chance to see and that is when I came across War Horse. I know. I know. Where have I been? But at least I have seen it now. And I am so glad I have because this movie is actually really good. Like really good. A bit long... but I totally did not mind as the journey of Joey, the beautiful and magnificent horse was a joy to watch. It made me want to take up horse riding lessons again but I think those days are over for me haha.
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For those that do not know, War Horse is a story- set around the time of the first world war- about a young lad, Albert Narracott, who found a best friend in an enigmatic yet loyal horse, Joey, that managed to bring a ray of light to those he met during his time as a war horse. Now I may not be the world's biggest animal lover but after watching this I reeeeeeeeally wanted to search for a lonely horse and care for it. But then I thought I have no idea how to take care of a horse or where I'll find one roaming about the streets of Manchester so that brief but oh so exciting dream was sadly dismissed. This 2011 adaptation of the novel and play written by Michael Morpurgo and Nick Stafford respectively was directed by Steven Spielberg (Lincoln; Minority Report; Jurassic Park) and its screenplay was penned by both Lee Hall (Pride & Prejudice; The Wind In The Willows; Billy Elliot) and Robert Curtis (About Time; The Boat That Rocked; Four Weddings and A Funeral). And as far as films go, this is a really good one... to me anyway :)
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Ah...the cast. The actors that weaved their way from scene to scene in this movie are some of the best out there. It was so surprising to see an almost equal amount of familiar faces and those completely new to me. The role of Albert Narracott, a caring and highly determined young man, was taken on by Jeremey Irvine (The Railway Man; Now Is Good; Life Bites). I really admire the character of... this character- always trying to do right by people and animals alike. Albert's strong and supportive mother was played by the lovely Emily Watson (The Book Thief; Anna Karenina; Miss Potter) and his optimistic father was brought to life by Peter Mullan (The Man Inside; Harry Potter and the deathly Hallows; Boy A). The appearances of David Thewlis (The Fifth Estate; The Lady; Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban), Tom Hiddleston (Thor: The Dark World; The Deep Blue Sea; Midnight In Paris), Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock; August: Osage County; Star Trek Into Darkness) and Patrick Kennedy (Boradwalk Empire; Pirates of the Caribbean; Atonement) in this film were both surprising and most welcomed. But the character that did make a compelling case to be my favourite was Emilie - a free-spirit that was able to see something beautiful amongst the darkness quickly closing in on them all - who was played wonderfully by Celine Buckens (War Horse). I mean obviously Joey captured my heart right from the get go but Emilie also made her presence known too.
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If you have not seen this movie and you are on the look out for a film that has traces of love, action, compassion, perseverance a bunch of equally unique set of characters then this movie is for you. If you are still unsure know that IMDb gave this film a 7.3/10... which I agree with :)
What film are you just discovering?
Mo xx