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"Just Think. We're
Both Fiery and Feisty!" |
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Directed by Michael
Mayer - Written by
Lawrence Konner, Mark
Rosenthal
Starring Alison Lohman,
Tim McGraw, Maria Bello
Distributed by
Twentieth-Century Fox -
2006 - 95mins - Rated PG |
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Richard Propes'
Review
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C |
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Another film aimed at "tween" girls... |
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There's a campaign
going around Myspace reporting that "Flicka kills horses." According
to this campaign, Fox Studios has attempted to whitewash this fact,
the American Humane Association has covered it up AND, even worse
according to this campaign, star Tim McGraw has refused to do anything
about it.
I have no idea if these allegations are true. I do, however, know that
my own allegations about "Flicka" are bound to be quite true...at
least two audience members are likely to die of boredom before the
final credits for "Flicka" scroll across the screen.
In this, the latest in Hollywood's seemingly endless stream of
needless remakes, the lead role switches gender and is assumed by
Alison Lohman as 16-year-old Katy, an attractive, feisty and fiery
young lady who returns home to the family ranch after a long stint in
private school. One day, she discovers a wild Mustang in the
mountains. Beautiful, but fiery (sound familiar?), the horse is
quickly named "Flicka" and young Katy becomes determined to keep the
horse despite the fierce opposition of her equally fiery father (Tim
McGraw) and her concerned, but loving mother (Maria Bello).
"Flicka" 2006 is based upon the Mary O'Hara novel, a darker storyline
than the original 1943 film. Unfortunately, in the case of this film,
darker doesn't necessarily add up to a more emotionally satisfying or
even complex cinematic experience. The storyline remains quite basic,
and director Michael Mayer's approach is so heavy-handed that he seems
intent on drumming in even the most basic messages repeatedly.
Have I mentioned that Katy AND Flicka are fiery and feisty?
I just want to make sure you understand.
To 27-year-old Lohman's credit, she's convincing and adds quite the
depth to a role that could have been played with barely one-note. Tim
McGraw, who showed considerable potential in the recent "Friday Night
Lights," isn't given as much to do here but functions well and
certainly doesn't hurt the proceedings. It's an unfair comparison, but
it's hard to deny that his closing song in the film, "My Little Girl,"
possesses more emotion and depth than any of his previous scenes in
the film.
As a variety of factors add up in the film and the family farm's
demise is threatened, it is Maria Bello's performance as the mother
who is a bridge between father and daughter that keeps the film from
becoming just another family film. While the role doesn't begin to
capitalize on Bello's range, Bello's range takes a one-note role and
devours it. The end result gives the film a healthy balance and makes
for interesting scenes between Bello, McGraw and Lohman.
Director Michael Mayer has had a primarily stage background, and there
are times it shows to a painful degree. Mayer's sense of style, human
dynamics and staging all show promise. If he can absorb the fact that
there are certain stage tricks that simply don't work on screen, then
he can likely build a healthy career in film.
Michael Muro's cinematography almost elevates the film's rating all by
itself, with absolutely beautiful shots of this farm country,
interactions with Flicka and an approach that is beautiful without
seeming overtly intentional.
"Flicka" is just about the true definition of an average film. It is a
film that delivers a solid storyline with decent performances,
functional production values and enough of an emotional impact to keep
audiences interested, though not really enthralled. It lacks the spark
and excitement of the 1943 original, and while the script would
indicate we should feel a stronger emotional investment this
investment never really happens.
"Flicka" may mean "beautiful young girl" in Swedish, but here in the
U.S. it simply translates as "boring old film." |
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© Written by Richard Propes -
Email Me! |
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How We Rated This Film
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TC Candler -
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| Richard Propes
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C |
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Jacob Hall
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TC Candler's Comment
n/a
Jacob Hall's
Comment
n/a
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