Ride Like a Girl

Surprisingly enjoyable. I went with two female friends who, like me, are not big horse racing fans but we all gave this movie the thumbs up.

It's a surefire feelgood result for a story featuring sporting triumph over adversity, and movies have exploited the genre regularly throughout cinema history. In a horseracing context, I felt that 'National Velvet' and 'Champions' raised issues echoed in this production, which lacks suspense and tension as a result. What makes it special is the excellent acting from the always dependable Sam Neill, Teresa Palmer, very believable as the determined single minded and pugnacious Michelle, and Stevie Payne, producing a truly delightful performance as himself. Skilfully scripted and providing a cocktail of humour and pathos in right quantities, the overall experience added up to a very enjoyable hour and a half.

For Horse race fans all over This gritty movie provides some telling shots of what it's like to ride a horse in a tight race.

Michelle Payne is real, she grew up as the youngest of 10 after her mother was tragically killed in a car wreck in 1986 when Payne was only 6 months old. Her dad was a trainer, she grew up with horses, her ambition always was to be a jockey.

I like Teresa Palmer, she is in the role as Michelle Payne and even looks a bit like her. This is a really well-made movie of a great story. It isn't just horse racing, it spends a good amount of time on family dynamics too.

My wife and I watched it on DVD from our public library.

I was cheering for her. Great and inspirational movie.