Joy of Horses

The movie itself? -- all the tell-tales of a low-budget indie. That is, overlapping credits (writer/director same person); static, overly-lit scenes; unknown actors; static dialog; static editing; no emotional punch; fails the Ebert Watch Test. The marketing? -- another story entirely. Heralds a new generation of "targeted" movies that come out of the box with their own built-in set of "influencer reviews." This film, which has already been picked up by one of the newer "free" streaming services, magically appeared on IMDb with stellar ratings of the same rarified air as STAR WARS or GODFATHER. And, astonishingly, some two dozen user reviews supporting those ratings. However, if you sort those early reviews by "PROLIFIC REVIEWER," you immediately see that virtually all the early entries were generated by reviewers who, coincidentally, starting contributing to the IMDb only this year, in 2024. Serious film fans need to take a moment to understand this new phenomenon and adjust their "film radar" accordingly. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

Despite the fact that the Joy Of Horses film doesn't live to its title, it tackles important subjects, love, grief and parenting in an interesting way.

The film's narrative puts all of us at a spot of appreciating the need for one to have a support system at all times as visible from the protagonist's need for a parent figure to help guide her through her healing process and protect her from making mistakes as she navigates her life.

The film's production values are below average however, from cinematography, sound design , production design, costume design, makeup, editing, acting and music among others.

The film's concept and idea are concrete however the screenplay and dialogue needed some work to make the story even stronger.

Despite the downsides of below average key creative elements in the film, it doesn't loose its track as the narrative sets a clear path and understanding of what the characters are and what they want, and in the end some win and some loose as so is life, the protagonist wins and that's what matters most.

This is a promising story and film from the filmmakers and hopefully their next one will be a greater improvement from this.

For the story - I was catapulted into a world of romantic drama that stirred up my emotions in the most delightful way. The concept of the movie was very titillating. I enjoyed the emotional conflict that most people deal with everyday when it comes to loss and love.

For the production - It needs work, but to even be able to get it completed is success in itself. As everyone in the film industry knows, that is very impressive. I have heard about a lot of drama on set. DP'd leaving with the footage because they want more money. After already agreeing to the money offered. Or producers backing out of a project for whatever reason. Or a number of other things. So congrats guys for making this happen. Much success in the future.

I have been in entertainment most of my life and all of my adult life. On air in radio, TV and commercials, internet, film and more. I am currently a VO actor. Basically I have seen a LOT of content. Joy of Horses showed compassion, healing, understanding and the dynamics of losing a loved one while being able to move forward with one's own life. It was a good story. As any indie film, there were technical issues that over time can be corrected. I think Ava Justin and crew did a very good overall indie film. Jay Sawyer I have been in entertainment most of my life and all of my adult life. On air in radio, TV and commercials, internet, film and more. I am currently a VO actor. Basically I have seen a LOT of content. Joy of Horses showed compassion, healing, understanding and the dynamics of losing a loved one while being able to move forward with one's own life. It was a good story. As any indie film, there were technical issues that over time can be corrected. I think Ava Justin and crew did a very good overall indie film. Jay Sawyer.

How this movie currently have a 7.7 score here at IMDB is a mystery. The movie quality is horrible. The acting stiff without any sense of empathy or feeling. The directing seems non existing and the cutting and sound does not add to the mixture. It was a pain to watch.

Ava's healing process after the death of her mother is the main theme and is depicted dutifully throughout the film. The romances in the love triangle fumble in the dark without any emotional depth. It feels as though there has been an effort to deliver the story according to the script, without understanding that it also needs to feel genuine. All the components for the story are borrowed from better films but then adapted without an understanding of what is necessary to make it credible.