Black Beauty

I knew Daniel Zirilli, the man who produced and directed this firm. He passed a few weeks ago. He never had a large budget as I'm sure was the case with Black Beauty, but was responsible for dozens of films that gave actors, new and old, and character actors the chance to practice their craft. While most of Daniel's works were more violent action thrillers, this one is different. Clearly, he loved the film he created. This was one of Luke Perry's first movie opportunities. Look at Black Beauty closely keeping in mind that it was produced on a limited budget and you can appreciate what Daniel accomplished. It is a beautiful movie.

Let me just say I loved the book and the previous movies and was really looking forward to this. But I just could not relate to a 30-year-old trying to play a 15-year-old girl. Really? Maybe it was the actresses fault but I believe it was a major mistake in casting. What? Are there no young actresses anymore? I honestly didn't get past the first 10 minutes. Maybe this is not a fair review but I was looking to get lost in a sappy girl and her horse story and it just was not even the tiniest bit believable. The whole introductory sequence seemed very stilted and forced. The horse is pretty at least. Oh, the actress Sarah Ann Schultz is lovely but so obviously NOT a teenager. She appeared to be older than her mom even. A pity because I imagine the story was exactly what I was looking for but I couldn't get past her age. Two thumbs down for me.

The main actress appeared very motivated in helping the horse. I would give her that 100%. Her expressions are very beautiful and sincere, so I can see why she was chosen to have that role. Grandpa did a good job as well. He appeared very generous and close to his granddaughter.

The other characters were a bit off, but they were pretty irrelevant to the movie theme.

I think folks may be a bit disappointed cause they're used to the Disney formats. But I think the movie did a good job portraying the struggles of a teenager fitting in, and how she's able to put the energy into something she enjoys, the country, the horse, and life simplicity.

What a waste of 1.2 hrs! Bad acting, bad sound track, bad everything. This movie just killed, in a bad way, this beautiful story, even the horse couldn't save it. you don't need a big budget to make this movie, you can bring anonymous actors that can really act but when you bring forgotten actors who never made it along with anonymous actors who are really bad and add to it awful voice-over, out of place music, which is also really bad by itself regardless of the movie, you get a huge disaster. even my kids couldn't buy it and left in the middle of it. Luke Perry, where did he come from? he looks so out of it, with long redundant shots on him while he is "contemplating" with no purpose, OMG. Bruce Davison, why humiliate yourself at your age? well, i guess the money wasn't bad. And the young actors, all of them, I wish they all to find themselves another profession because acting is not for you. really.

So i officially got to 7.46 into the film. Already irritated with the terrible acting i tried to push through, it just got worse... Seriously how could a movie that had such potential turn out like this. I can't even bring myself to watch the rest of the movie because of the bad acting, everything was too put on. I don't even want to get started on the terrible voice over bits that they have shoved in there at times when they should rather just leave it. Thankfully i came to read the reviews before i tortured myself with over an hour of utter nonsense... I'd rather just go watch the previous Black Beauty movie, it might be old but hey at least they new how to act back in the day. Not even worth killing time watching this... I'd rather watch paint dry.