Ride Like a Girl

Michelle Payne is real, she grew up as the youngest of 10 after her mother was tragically killed in a car wreck in 1986 when Payne was only 6 months old. Her dad was a trainer, she grew up with horses, her ambition always was to be a jockey.

I like Teresa Palmer, she is in the role as Michelle Payne and even looks a bit like her. This is a really well-made movie of a great story. It isn't just horse racing, it spends a good amount of time on family dynamics too.

My wife and I watched it on DVD from our public library.

It's a surefire feelgood result for a story featuring sporting triumph over adversity, and movies have exploited the genre regularly throughout cinema history. In a horseracing context, I felt that 'National Velvet' and 'Champions' raised issues echoed in this production, which lacks suspense and tension as a result. What makes it special is the excellent acting from the always dependable Sam Neill, Teresa Palmer, very believable as the determined single minded and pugnacious Michelle, and Stevie Payne, producing a truly delightful performance as himself. Skilfully scripted and providing a cocktail of humour and pathos in right quantities, the overall experience added up to a very enjoyable hour and a half.

For Horse race fans all over This gritty movie provides some telling shots of what it's like to ride a horse in a tight race.

Surprisingly enjoyable. I went with two female friends who, like me, are not big horse racing fans but we all gave this movie the thumbs up.

Had the choice between this and another movie tonight, so glad we went for this one. Based on the true story of Michelle Payne, surprisingly directed by Rachael Griffiths, this is a good movie and worth the time to watch. Saw some other reviews to make comment on, one has a low score stating she has won a race no has heard of..... there is no one one in Australia that hasn't heard of the Melbourne Cup, Internationally anyone in the racing world definitely knows of it-- it is a longer race with a bigger prize pool than the Kentucky Derby. Another review states that she was suspended for "taking drugs", yes it was wrong but lets be clear, it was an appetite suppressant, not illegal outside sport.