About Lean on Pete

"Lean on Pete" is a coming-of-age drama film directed by Andrew Haigh, released in 2017. The story revolves around 15-year-old Charley Thompson (played by Charlie Plummer) who, while living with his single father Ray in Portland, Oregon, befriends an aging racehorse named Lean on Pete at a nearby racetrack. When Charley learns that Pete is bound for slaughter, they embark on an odyssey across the new American frontier in search of a new home.

Making / Production

The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Willy Vlautin. Filming took place in Oregon and other parts of the Pacific Northwest.

Actors

• Charlie Plummer as Charley Thompson: A dedicated and compassionate teenager, Plummer's emotional depth and charisma bring Charley's struggles and victories to life.
• Steve Buscemi as Del Montgomery: Buscemi, a seasoned talent, plays a grizzled horse trainer with exceptional flair adding a real sense of authenticity and grit to the character.
• Chloë Sevigny as Bonnie: Sevigny portrays Bonnie, a jaded jockey who becomes a mentor to Charley. Her performance is nuanced and affecting.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The movie is named after the racehorse Lean on Pete in the film.
• "Lean on Pete" was premiered in the main competition section of the 74th Venice International Film Festival.
• Andrew Haigh's direction led to wide acclaim and the film achieved an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Awards

The movie received multiple award nominations. It won the Best Young Actor award at the Venice Film Festival for Charlie Plummer's performance. Plummer also received a nomination for Best Young Actor/Actress at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards.

Quotes

• "You can't think of them as pets. They're here to race and nothing else." - Del Montgomery, blaming himself for getting emotionally attached to the horses.
• "He's not a pet. He's just a horse." - Charley Thompson, defending his friendship with Lean on Pete.

Music, Soundtrack

• The original score was composed by James Edward Barker.
• "Hlad po životě" by Karel Gott plays when Charley and Bonnie are in the trailer waiting out the rain.
• "Gimme a Little Something" by The Hand jives with the emotionally charged atmosphere of the film.