Charlie Plummer Shines Bright in Lean on Pete

Most of my life I have had a pet.  Each and every one holds a special place in my heart and memory throughout my life.  Who doesn’t love animals right? OK…so I initially thought I was going to see a film about a boy and his horse.  I love horses and was majorly excited!!!  However, Lean on Pete is not a story about a horse. What I witnessed the heartbreaking journey of Charlie and his quest to find his way stability in life after losing his parents and his best friend…Pete (who happens to be a horse).

From acclaimed filmmaker Andrew Haigh, Lean On Pete is more about the Charlie’s journey of friendship, growing pains and stability.  Charlie Plummer in the lead role is absolutely spectacular!  Plummer carries the film with an ease that doesn’t come easily to actors his age and does so with grace, style and finesse.  Many times, he is extremely reminicent of a young River Phoenix/Leonardo DeCaprio mix.  I look forward to seeing what he does next on the big screen!

Steve Buscemi  (Del Montgomery) and Chloe Sevigny (Bonnie) are brilliant actors whose talent are wasted in this film and it felt like the meat of their characters may have been left on the cutting room floor.  Other than Charlie Plummer, Steve Zahn as the homeless vet Silver is very impressive.  Zahn, a regular when it comes to comedic work is starting to stretch out in the drama lane, I , for one, hopes he stays there for a minute.  His layered choices add to the complexity of his character and made Silver very interesting to watch.

Lean on Pete moved a little slow for my taste, but makes very strong and valid statements regarding the state of the homeless in California, loneliness and friendship with two-legged and four-legged friends.  Produced by A24, Lean on Pete opens in theaters on April 6th.