Keswick Film Festival

Synopsis

Andrew Haigh's '45 Years' went down well in Keswick in 2015. 'Lean on Pete' was released just too late for us to get it last season; it gets a viewing here with thanks to one of our members who suggested it.

Haigh continues his compassionate style of directing, but this time in America with a story about Charley, a 15-year-old boy, and his father. "The collapse of Charley's fragile home life is softened by finding a new purpose elsewhere. He earns cash helping out likeable old racing hand Del (Steve Buscemi), who enters horses in scrappy local competitions" - Dave Calhoun, Time Out.

"In ways I wouldn't spoil, 'Lean on Pete' becomes something of a road movie about a boy and a horse... Charley's situation becomes increasingly desperate and moving, but never in a way that feels melodramatic. The main reason for that is the incredible trust that Haigh places in Plummer... This is such a subtle, beautiful performance" - Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com.