Benjamin Marquet’s 2008 documentary falls neatly between two equine film studies this year, the inspirational “Buck” and the soaring “The War Horse.” (More on this next week.) A study of Steve, Florian and Flavien, three petit fourteen-year-old jockeys and their education at a rudimentary training center for future male and female “Lads & Jockeys” in the village of Chantilly outside Paris, the visual style is observant and straightforward for the most part, with an only slightly insistent score. (The swearing and farting by the boys is altogether apropos, and among the telling details of life among the teens, the smaller the better.) The visual glory comes in extended takes following the horses in thrilling long takes. “This film is dedicated to all apprentices of France,” an end credit offers genially, accompanied by a final peroration on manners, respect and the place of the young jockey in a system that essentially begins and ends with the horse. 100m. (Ray Pride)
“Lads & Jockeys” opens Friday at the Music Box. A trailer is below.
Ray Pride is Newcity’s Senior Editor and Film Critic. He is a contributing editor of Filmmaker magazine.
Ray’s history of Chicago Ghost Signs is planned for publication next year. Previews of the project are on Twitter and on Instagram. More photography on Instagram.
Seeing The Elephant: A Review Of Babylon The boisterous, brawling yet melancholy "Babylon," is a variation on film history, but more drawing for drama. It's gaudy and mean, celebratory and sorrowful.
Heart: A Review of Soul The real world is soulful, too, in Pixar's bountiful life of the mind.
Fine Line: A Review Of Shortcomings It's a season for the comeuppance of a curmudgeon in Randall Park's smart, biting "Shortcomings," adapted by Adrian Tomine from his graphic novel of the same name.
Spawn Sacrifice: A Review Of The Creator "The Creator" is richly detailed, punchy, pulpy, punkish entertainment that still has highly serious subjects in mind, without growing didactic and with substantial heart.
A Drag Getting Old: A Review Of Indiana Jones 5 In the protracted opening couple of reels, a very young, computer-crafted Harrison Ford plays a younger cultural marauder who first encounters the dull MacGuffin of the title.
RECOMMENDED
