mild bad language, sex references, upsetting scenes
2020 ( UK ) ( Biography, Comedy, Drama )
DIRECTOR: Euros Lyn
STARRING: Toni Collette, Damian Lewis, Owen Teale
It’s a true story. In a Monmouthshire village, Jan Vokes (Toni Collette), Co-op checkout woman by day, barmaid by night, ambitiously decides to apply her pigeon-breeding expertise to horse racing. With local accountant Howard Davies (Damian Lewis), she forms a syndicate of villagers to raise the fees so trainer Philip Hobbs (Nicholas Farrell) might guide Dream Alliance, the horse they have raised on an allotment, to winning ways.
The performances across the board are wonderful. Collette, as always, is brilliant as the shy but determined Jan, while Teale portrays her husband Brian with warmth and empathy. Lewis brings charm and energy as Howard, and the chemistry and camaraderie of the extended cast members are utterly contagious. Dream Horse doesn’t pretend to be anything other than a crowd-pleaser, and that is its biggest strength.
(1hr 53min)