Exactly how good is "The Horse Whisperer"? Given the fact that most of the trailers and ads for this film made it look hopelessly slushy and maudlin, I don’t blame anyone for wrinkling their noses at all the positively raving reviews which have resulted in the film doing exceptionally good box office (on a related note, "Godzilla" is tanking. There is hope yet for intelligent cinema!).

Well, as a fellow skeptic, I reluctantly saw this movie, fully expecting it to be a disappointment. Happily enough, all the publicity for the film was false and misleading. This is a film of surprising depth and complexity, and is possibly one of the best examples of how to make a successful film. Come to think of it, almost all of Redford’s directorial efforts have been exceptionally elegant and moving pieces, and this is no exception.

The story, based on Nicholas Evans’ bestseller, concerns Annie (Kristin Scott Thomas), a high powered career woman who is somewhat unhappy and perpetually tense, who seeks out Tom Booker (Redford), a Montana rancher who can purportedly heal "horses with people problems". She needs him to look at the pet horse of her daughter Grace (Scarlett Johanssen); both rider and horse were involved in a horrific accident (be warned that the sequence in the film depicting this is frighteningly real and uncomfortable to watch) and now the girl is withdrawn and angry, whilst the horse seems incapable of recovering its former docility and grace. At first unwilling to be involved in their familial woes, Booker agrees to work with the mare, and it is during the course of Annie and Grace’s stay with the Booker family - which also comprises brother Frank (Chris Cooper), sister Diane (Dianne Wiest) and their children - that both mother and daughter begin to heal along with the horse. Inevitably, ! Annie finds herself powerfully drawn to Tom who is every bit as romantic and ideal as her husband Robert (Sam Neill) is safe and unfulfilling, and when it comes time for them to leave, she must make a difficult decision….

Obviously, this is a film which is more about feeling and mood than occurrences and action, and at a running time of close to three hours, it sounds incredibly daunting on paper. Let me assure you that the hours will literally fly by and you’ll be left asking for more. Screenwriters Eric Roth and Richard LaGravenese (who also turned the insufferably hyper-romantic "The Bridges of Madison County" into a quiet drama with strong character study) have modified some elements of Evans’ source novel, changing the ending and removing most of its more treacly bits, leaving behind the core story and enhancing the depth and gravity of the characters and situations. Director Redford confidently steers his talented cast along the way and manages to create a wondrously seamless film about healing the human heart. Much like "A River Runs Through It", "The Horse Whisperer" is beautifully paced and superbly acted.

As an actor, Redford is given to a little bit of vanity (no need yet to slap an embargo on him for excessive use of the soft focus lens), but in a film full of fine performances, it is Dianne Wiest and Chris Cooper’s convincingly homely Diane and Frank Booker who give the most natural, fully realized and complete performances. This does not mean that everyone else is slumming; quite the contrary. However, there are no great stand-out performances. Scott Thomas is saddled with a role that is sometimes written a little too broadly (big city girl lost in the open country) so that it borders on becoming a caricature, but in moments where she is called upon to mesh steely resolve with vulnerability, she succeeds with aplomb and style. Newcomer Johanssen, who resembles the ever radiant Natalie Portman who bowed out of the film due to scheduling conflicts, is a little flat at times, but given the role’s challenges and difficulties, she acquits herself very well. And in the most under! written and thankless role of all, Sam Neill again somehow manages to create a character out of almost nothing.

As Summer 1998 unveils a slew of disaster epics and mindlessly loud event movies, this entry is an example of the kind of counter-programming which more film studios should undertake. "The Horse Whisperer" deserves as large an audience as three summer blockbusters combined. Film-making seldom approaches this level of artistry and sumptuousness. Do yourself a favor and see it as soon as possible.

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© Copyright 1998. If you've got anything to add, write me at terrybrogan@hotmail.com. Or don't. Whatever.