Emma's Chance

Emma Bailey (Greer Grammer) is a good girl and a pushover. Peer pressure pushes her to trespass onto a horse ranch run by Susan Peirce (Missi Pyle). She gets caught and has to do community service at the ranch. Kevin Chambers (Joey Lawrence) is the head ranch hand.

The story is simplistic. Of course, it ends with a contest and the prize winnings needed to save the situation. It's missing a good boy to be her romantic partner. It has the bad boy but she needs a good boy to pair with. He could be a student at school or a ranch hand or a student who follows her to the ranch. This does have the higher purpose of promoting a real place caring for abandoned or abused horses.

Emma's Chance appears aimed at tween to teenage girls. However, it has broad appeal and works as an educational, family-friendly film on two levels. In the "big picture," the movie sheds light on the 152,000 horses who are killed each year for meat after they are no longer useful to their owners. In the "little picture," children will learn about the tremendous time commitment a horse requires-along with the rewards of bonding to an animal. This movie is a must see for anyone who wants a horse. Red Bucket Equine Rescue, the real-life non-profit that serves as the location for the movie, says 85% of first-time horse owners get rid of their animals within five years. The movie uses Red Bucket to convey its message. Filming took place on the group's ranch in Chino Hills, California. According to its website, all the horses in the movie were rescues, including the star, show jumper "Chance", who was played by four different rescue horses. Actor Missy Pyle portrays real life founder Susan Pierce and actual volunteers filled in as extras. Adults will learn about the crushing financial burden facing Red Bucket and similar charities in need of support. Children will learn about the commitment and rewards of taking care of a horse through Emma (Greer Grammer). This "good girl" agrees to perform community service after falling in with the wrong crowd and soon learns to love horses. At times Emma's Chance feels like an infomercial, much like Apple of My Eye, which used Southeastern Guide Dogs to spotlight guide animals. However, both movies present meaningful messages in a thoughtful and entertaining way. There is nothing offensive in Emma's Chance. Even the "mean girls" are not really mean, just in need of a teachable moment. The movie moves in an uplifting trajectory and mirrors Emma's increasing self-confidence as she tackles the task of caring for a horse. The final scene may sadden some children, but it teaches an important life lesson.

This is a movie that has all the look and feel of a Hallmark movie. Though, I don't say that in a disparaging way. If you are looking for that "type" of movie, then this scores on all levels.

Starring Greer Grammer, daughter of Frazier star Kelsey Grammer, she delivers a credible adoring performance - as she rightfully has built a respectable resume for herself.

Inspired by true events, the movie boasts some delightful themes of redemption, victory over challenges, and compassion for animals. While the movie was designed to delve into the world of animal abuse, the movie, to its credit, is never preachy or patronizing.

Seemingly out of nowhere, the movie's climax hinges on an equestrian competition involving novice Grammer. While equestrian aficionados will probably rail at her improbable and super-contrived and almost immediate rise to a champion-class competitor, the rest of us could care less about that and are simply eagerly waiting to gobble up the "feel good" candy.

If this is a movie you want to sit down and watch with your family of all ages and not have to wince at ANYTHING on screen and even have some insightful discussions afterwards, then you could not possibly be disappointed.

Yes, the movie is sugary sweet and predictable as heck, yet it's a film, in my opinion, that anyone in the family can enjoy. Wow! no explicit language, sex scenes, or violence in a movie these days. What is this world coming to?

The premise revolves around a teenage girl, Emma Bailey (Greer Grammar), who has fallen under the bad influence of some friends, and has been given community service at the Red Bucket Equine Reserve, in Southern California (an actual reserve which has rescued and rehabilitated over 300 horses to date).

Emma will grow to love the place and will form a special bond with the beautiful but temperamental horse Chance (a horse that was actually rescued at Red Bucket). However, the ranch is under constant financial stress and now things are getting quite dire. Thus, Emma and many others will do all they can to save it from being sold.

Grammar is solid in the lead role here, and Missi Pyle, Joey Lawrence, Christina Robinson, Jennifer Taylor, and Shanna Strong add well to the mix. The movie is written and directed by Anna Elizabeth James.

Overall, if you're looking for an action flick or a deep drama this is not it, but it's simply a feel-good light tale that anyone of any age might enjoy.

This movie has a story that never gets old and leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy. Greer Grammer shines as the main character and the viewer becomes as invested in the cause as the main characters are. Definitely something all ages can appreciate - send a copy over to Grandma's house with the kids and all will enjoy! Great for horse lovers, and anyone who appreciates a happy ending. Particularly lovely and refreshing seeing this age group presented in a wholesome way.