Cast
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Charlie Plummer
as Charley
Amy Seimetz
as Lynn
Travis Fimmel
as Ray
Steve Buscemi
as Del
Jason Beem
as Race Announcer
Tolo Tuitele
as Lynn's Husband
Ayanna Berkshire
as Cop 1
Connor Brenes
as Cop 2
Kurt Conroyd
as Nurse
Chloë Sevigny
as Bonnie
Dennis Fitzpatrick
as Old Timer
Rusty Tennant
as Portland Downs Security Guard
Julia Prud'homme
as Ruby
Jason Rouse
as Mitch
Lewis Pullman
as Dallas
Crew
Director
- Andrew Haigh
Producer
- Tristan Goligher
Reviews
Stephen Campbell
**_Decent enough, but not a patch on Haigh's previous work_**
> _I feel everything I do is related to that sense of loneliness and that longing to not be alone. I think all of us spend most of our time feeling alone and we find ways to disguise our loneliness - whether it's relationships, a job or whatever it is - because we know that our central state of being is probably to feel alone. For this story that's especially true: Charley spends a lot of time running away, he leaves the frame and disappears. I think we're constantly battling with loneliness, finding things that make us feel bet__ter, striving for things that we think are going to make us happy and then when they fail to do so, striving for the next thing to try and repeating the process over and over. It's just our basic biological need that keeps us going._
- Andrew Haigh; "_Lean On Pete_: In Conversation With Filmmaker Andrew Haigh"; _Candid_ (May 5, 2018)
15-year-old Charley Thompson (Charlie Plummer) lives with his father, Ray (Travis Fimmel), who is drinking himself into an early grave. Finding work caring for an ageing racehorse named Lean on Pete, Charley is devastated when he learns that Pete's owner, Del Montgomery (Steve Buscemi), is planning to slaughter the animal. Determined to save his friend, Charley steals Pete, and the two set out on an odyssey across the modern American frontier.
Fans of writer/director Andrew Haigh will know his unassailable talent for what one might label unsentimental emotionalism; his films deal with intensely emotional situations without lapsing into Speilbergian fawnishness. And, although compared to the excellent _Weekend_ (2011), and the masterful _45 Years_ (2015), _Lean on Pete_ is a touch melodramatic, Haigh's talent for allowing character and theme to rise organically to the surface through quiet moments of introspection is still very much to the fore. So why not a higher score? Adapted from Willy Vlautin's 2010 novel of the same name, the biggest problem with the film is that things are laid on too thick; Charley is very much a Job figure, and suffers such a litany of misfortunes that one fully expects him to be diagnosed with terminal cancer. Similarly, the pseudo-allegorical nature of the characters he encounters is too on-the-nose for the realistic _milieu_ Haigh has crafted. Part state-of-the-nation address, part _bildungsroman_, it's worth a look, but is ultimately lacking a satisfying thematic through-line.
Apr 14, 2019
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Lean on Pete examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Andrew Haigh brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2018, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Lean on Pete took approximately 19 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $8.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 121 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 142 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 2134 individual shots.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 6 months to complete.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 4 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 2018, when this film is released:
- Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Lean on Pete shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Restraint, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Lean on Pete offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Aaltra and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 explore similar territory, Lean on Pete stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: April 6, 2018
- Runtime: 2h 1m
- Budget: $8,000,000
- Revenue: $2,400,000
