DARK HORSE

US, 2012, 89 minutes, Colour.
Jordan Gelbar, Selma Blair, Christopher Walken, Mia Farrow, Justin Bartha.
Directed by Todd Solonz.

Dark Horse is described by its director, Todd Solonz, as a sad comedy. Solonz is expert at sad comedy from his 1995 Welcome to the Dollhouse to Happiness, Palindrome and the sequel to Happiness, Living in Wartime.

This time the central character is played by Jordan Gelbar, a largish man, playing a man-child, preoccupied with toys and eBay, who sits next to a girl at a wedding, Miranda, Selma Blair, and forms an attachment to her. Clearly this is an unlikely-to-succeed relationship and the film portrays its ups and downs, with childlike characters and emotionally disturbed characters. Bonus for the film is that the man’s parents are played by Christopher Walken and Mia Farrow.

For those familiar with Todd Solonz’s work, it will be yet another interesting exploration of the offbeat side of human nature. For those not familiar with his work, an arresting introduction.


1. All offbeat comedy? Comic, serious, sad?

2. American suburbs, homes, offices, bars? The sense of realism? The musical score?

3. The role of imagination and dreams? Luxurious homes, changes of character?

4. How much in Abe’s imagination? In his dreams? How much reality? Abe’s life, wishes, angers, hopes, projections?

5. Abe, his age, size, unmarried, at home, relationship with his parents? Antagonism towards his brother, Richard? His job, not doing it well, relying on Marie? Trying to please his father? His ambition to be a singer? His angers? A credible character, embodying these problems?

6. At the wedding, the atmosphere, sitting next to Miranda, not dancing, talking with her, getting the phone number, calling her, the date, sitting in the car, the imagination with Marie helping with the spreadsheets? Miranda forgetting? Welcoming him in?

7. Her parents, silent, less than friendly, reading the newspapers, asking about his job?

8. Abe’s parents, his father’s expressionless face, the boss in the office, treatment of Abe? His mother, playing the games and winning, his asking his mother for the check?

9. With Miranda, talking, she being distracted, her boyfriend, Mahmoud, her being unsure? The city, talking, his proposal, audience waiting for the answer?

10. Marie, motherly in the office, in the diner, the contrast and his dreams, sexy, ex- husband, the twins, the gruesome death and suicides? Her liking Justin, sexy? Contrast with the actual Marie at the cafes, her own is talking, doing the spreadsheets for Abe?

11. Justin, nice, polite, doing what he was told, the promotion? Sexy with Marie in Abe’s dreams?

12. Miranda’s parents, reading the newspapers, asking abour his job? Their visit to Abe’s parents, the small talk about traffic, Abe showing Miranda his
room, his hopes, living there, her mentioning the hepatitis?

13. His anger with his father, being fired, the oursting him from home, Abe at the office, at home, not leaving?

14. The date with Miranda and Mahmoud? The talk, his camp style, Abe punching him? Meeting him, Mahmoud forgiving him? In imagination or reality?

15. The phone call to Richard, his being a doctor, the memories of the past, Richard’s memories different from those of Abe, his completing his degree, Abe not?

16. Abe imagination in the car, his mother, her criticisms, Richard, the attack?

17. Abe in hospital, the two months, dream or not? His parents, Miranda and her talking with him? His death? Later appearance?

18. The director allowing the audience to puzzle over what happened?