Ride Like a Girl * * *
Ride Like a Girl, or make films like a girl, or whatever. Actually I wish first time director Rachel Griffiths did make films like a girl - especially if the girls she took inspiration from were Jocelyn Moorhouse or Jennnifer Kent or Jane Campion or a few other girl independent Australian / NZ directors with their own unique stamp.
Ride Like a Girl is somewhat anonymous. Paint by numbers. But I guess a lot of that goes back to the script, which again, is competent and respectful family fare, albeit hamstrung by some fairly contrived and inexcusably clunky scenes that beg your acceptance.
It tells the story of Michelle Payne (played by Teresa Palmer). Michelle Payne was the first female jockey to win The Melbourne Cup horse race. It was a story that captured the nation on the day, especially when we learnt of her family background and association with her brother. The part of the film I liked best was the first five minutes which was documentary style. It was so well done I kind of wished the whole film had continued that way rather than being a dramatisation.
The scenes showing her home life and her determination to be a jockey are okay. It's absolutely watchable and quite charming at times: especially the ever reliable Sam Neil as Dad and her brother Stevie who plays himself.
For the little excitement it generates, the best scenes are when she is in the scrum. It's pretty rough in there and it gives real meaning for the term jockeying for position. Which makes me wonder is this a sport the horses like too?
It's a competent film, and it doesn't let it's subject matter down. If celebrated actress Rachel Griffiths chooses to continue with this directing lark, I hope she finds a more individual voice: she has certainly proven she has got the goods in all other areas of her life and career.
Ride Like a Girl is somewhat anonymous. Paint by numbers. But I guess a lot of that goes back to the script, which again, is competent and respectful family fare, albeit hamstrung by some fairly contrived and inexcusably clunky scenes that beg your acceptance.
It tells the story of Michelle Payne (played by Teresa Palmer). Michelle Payne was the first female jockey to win The Melbourne Cup horse race. It was a story that captured the nation on the day, especially when we learnt of her family background and association with her brother. The part of the film I liked best was the first five minutes which was documentary style. It was so well done I kind of wished the whole film had continued that way rather than being a dramatisation.
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| Gawd, Flip, you write like a boy. Blah! |
For the little excitement it generates, the best scenes are when she is in the scrum. It's pretty rough in there and it gives real meaning for the term jockeying for position. Which makes me wonder is this a sport the horses like too?
It's a competent film, and it doesn't let it's subject matter down. If celebrated actress Rachel Griffiths chooses to continue with this directing lark, I hope she finds a more individual voice: she has certainly proven she has got the goods in all other areas of her life and career.
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