SYLVESTER

US, 1985, 99 minutes, Colour.
Melissa Gilbert, Richard Farnsworth, Constance Towers, Michael, Schoeffling.
Directed by Tim Hunter.

Sylvester is a film about horses and steeplechase racing. It is a kind of '80s, tougher, American National Velvet. Melissa Gilbert plays Charlene, an orphan taking care of younger brothers, who wants to train horses and is expert at it. She gets the opportunity to train with an old friend of the family, genially played by Richard Farnsworth. She eventually gets the opportunity to go to Kentucky and to participate in a steeplechase championship where Sylvester and herself are offered an opportunity to train and go further in their careers.

The film is generally set in Texas, portrays a tough way of life there. However, the film also has a great deal of warmth and sentiment.

The film was directed by Tim Hunter, who did the version of S.E. Hinton's Tex. However, he also directed the very grim picture of teenage youth and violence, The River's Edge.

1. An enjoyable film about Texas, young people, horses, training, races?

2. The Texas town, the Texas farms, the picture of horses, racing and training? Kentucky and the steeplechase atmosphere, course? Musical score?

3. The title and the focus on the horse? At the ranch, showing his skill In running, dangers, Charlene able to ride him and tame him, the training, his success in the race? His being sold? The focus but the story about the humans?

4. Charlene and her age, tier experience, the memory of her parents, their accidental death? Her relationship with the. boys? Their trying to manage? The authorities and their concern? Her skill in training horses, riding? The encounter with Sylvester and the bond between the two? On the road, the accident with the cars? The pressure on Foster, his drinking, their challenging him to look after them? Her challenging him to train her? Hatt and her friendship with him, his not approving the riding, yet the bond between the two? Her relationship with the other hands at the ranch, the initial competitiveness, the fight, Foster dismissing them, the hand molesting her and her being saved by Foster? Transferring to his house, making him be a father, the boys and their response? The training, the decision to go to Kentucky, her success in the event? Society, her dressing up, going to the party, Matt and his resentment of the attention of the Olympic equestrian, the fight, her feeling? The encounter with Muffy, friendship, the offer of training and the financial help? Her turning it down, discussion with Foster and the boys? The race - and their all deciding that she- should have the opportunity? Her future?

5. Foster and his experience of the ranch, the horses, the fighting, his dismissing Charlene and the other hand, rescuing her? His drinking? Memories of the war? Cavalry experience? His regret about the unfulfilled love for Charlene's mother? His being, challenged to look after the children, accepting the challenge, their coming into his home? Training Charlene? his needing to be asked? Going to Kentucky, the discussions with Muffy, his pride in Charlene's success? The dilemma about her future? The group's decision?

6. Matt and his work in the town, devotion to Charlene, the fights for her? His caution, not wanting her to become involved in the steeplechase racing? Clashes with him? Decision to go to Kentucky, resenting the Olympic champion, the fight at the party, the humiliation? The clash, his final decision to support her and her staying?

7. The sketch of the boys, characters, relationship with their sister, the authorities, friendship with Foster, life on the ranch, helping Charlene, the visit to Kentucky, their enjoying it, their fear about her leaving them, their changing their mind?

8. Muffy, her wealth, her eye for horses and riders? Her mansion? The visit of Charlene, her injuries and being confined to a chair? The offer, admiration of Charlene, wanting her to succeed where she had been injured?

9. The atmosphere of the Texas town, the characters, the friends, the way of life? The ranch? The world of racing? The authorities and their concern about children's safety?

10. A slice of life in Texas? Audience response to stories about horses? About young girls becoming champion riders?