I'd say, that it was an interesting movie, I'm pretty sure horse whispering doesn't work. Horses don't pay much attention unless you shout at them. Then they can get offended or saddened, depending on their personality. The scenery is gorgeous, the people work well together. The script is great. But it does fall a little short on the horse angle. But since most people know very little about horses, it won't ruin it, it didn't even ruin it for me. I just said, "Ok, they don't know what they're talking about here." I can't emphasize enough about the scenery. Awesome, just awesome.

This is a pretty good story, a bit too slow at times. The scenery is what makes this film tolerable, sometimes enjoyable. Some of the equestrian practices shown are not depicting correct or safe methods, but this is normal in films. Horses don't flip out like people in the first place. They may be scared of places, sounds and things where the trauma occurs, but would never become psychotic as shown here. The other troubling thing I kept seeing over and over in the film is Scarlet Johansson's character kept trying to do things with her prosthetic instead of her good leg. I myself had a slow healing broken ankle and spent 9 months on a cast. You learn to use your good leg quickly, like when trying to climb a corral fence and mounting a horse from the side of your good leg, not your bad. These little film maker faux pas and the acting by Kristin Scott Thomas (trying too hard, obvious fake smiles- how hard is it to smile?) kept this from being an excellent movie.

I had always dodged this movie, I think I still associated Robert Redford with what I thought were self-indulgent movies in the late 70s -80s. He never entirely gets away from being smug, but if you can deal with that this movie has a lot going for it. Scarlett J and her horse are involved in horrific accident which leaves both of them physically and psychologically scarred. Her mom Kristen Scott Thomas (always fine) tracks down horse whisperer Redford in Montana or thereabouts, and when he refuses to see them in NY she travels to his turf, Scarlett, damaged horse and all. Redford's family are nicely played, and there are tons of beautiful scenery where Robert calls home. What I liked best about this movie was the slow but persistent pace, along with the scenery and beautiful music. I would have played out the potential love interest between Redford and Thomas differently, but I really think the story is in the Redford-horse-Scarlett angle anyway. Much better than I anticipated.

A good movie, however the real story here is about the comeback of the characters, such as Grace (Scarlett Johansson). There are great moments in the film such as where Grace has again ridden a horse (sort of in secret for the first time since the accident). And Grace later tells her mother: 'nobody's ever gonna love me like this' - never fails to tear me up. It's because she referring to ALL her injuries: inclusive of her physical, mental, and emotional state - which may be finally beginning to heal with the help of 'life' on this wonderfully beautiful cattle ranch. Another one is where a few minutes later Grace tells Redford the story of exactly how the accident happened (what an amazing, heart- wrenching scene she gives us). And Redford gives her some great fatherly advice and emotional 'relief' - we can feel her healing. Another is in the barn where Grace's mother / Redford finally talk about their feelings... an emotionally vulnerable woman, and a complete gentleman with enough character to know what is right for all of them.Finally, the emotional climax is where Grace enters the corral and confronts her fears about the horse. It's her chance, and all the supporting characters are there for her, standing up for her. In the end both her, the horse, and all 'the comebacks' come to total fruition and complete triumph. There are so many parallels between the injured horse and the flawed people that are emotionally involved in the story...All in all, this is really a 'comeback' movie - for Grace, the horse, for Redford's character, Grace's mother - all of them are {in movie magic 'reality'} learning to love again. THIS narrative is the real focus of the film... if you watch it again from this perspective, you'll see a very young and an incredibly gorgeous (quite visible even at such a young age) Scarlett to shine - better than in just the few glimpses of good acting that we manage to otherwise catch.