DREAM HORSE
UK, 2020, 113 minutes, Colour.
Toni Collette, Owen Teale, Damian Lewis, Karl Johnson, Nicholas Farrell, Alan David, Sian Phillips.
Directed by Euros Lyn.
No false advertising here. The title is accurate!
Over the decades, horse racing films have been always popular. There are the horses. There is the training. There are the races. There are the triumphs. And, of course, there are moments of tragedy. And they are all here in this story, based on actual characters and events, the horse, Dream Alliance, 2001 until 2012 when he was put out to stud.
And this is a true Welsh story. There hasn’t been so much wealth patriotism on screen for quite a while. The valley setting, the small town falling on hard times, friendships – and, later, the national anthem sung by Katherine Jenkins, other Welsh songs, and some rivalry with Tom Jones in several sing-songs of Delilah.
And, this is an unlikely story. Jan Vokes is getting older, sleepless beside her heavily-snoring husband, up early to do the cleaning at the Co-op supermarket, working at the checkout, night jobs in the local pub, her husband, Brian, sitting at home, watching the television, not hearing Jan talk. He has lost his job as a vet. Not the most likely setting for a racing story let alone a success story.
The great strength of the film comes from Toni Collette as Jan, Tony Collette always versatile in her roles, versatile in her accents, not afraid to portray hard-working ordinary women. Jan did have some success in her early years, caring for animals, winning trophies. When she hears a somewhat loud-mouth accountant, Howard (Daniel Lewis) boasting in the pub, she gets the bright idea of buying a mare, taking it to stud, hoping for a cult.
And that is what she does, the screenplay giving attention to her hard work, research, showing that this was not an easy achievement. And for finance? She suggests a local syndicate, about 10 or more people contributing £10 a month for two years. Howard agrees to manage the finances – and, initially reluctant townspeople agree, the pub owner, the young worker, the local official who loves quoting rules and regulations, the matriarch of the town, and the town alcoholic…
Of course, it all takes time, and we share Jane’s anxieties. But, she is supported by Brian (played by Owen Teale whose teeth gaps are quite a distraction but, with some relief, he residential to the races!).
One of the difficulties will be a trainer. Jan goes for the best but receives an uninterested reception when their horse, Dream Alliance, is restless but, fortunately gallops and the trainer does a deal. And it is not lightning-instant success, seconds and thirds in races until a victory.
Part of the enjoyment is seeing the syndicate members, including the exuberant drunk, Karl Johnson, and Maureen (Sian Philip in her mid-80s) all in the owners’ lounge, shoulder to shoulder with the racing aristocracy!
After one race, Jan and the syndicate have to make a decision, recovery from injury, Brian researching stem cell treatment, a comeback and a triumph at the Welsh National.
Yes, we have seen many variations of the theme, but you would have to be something of a stone not to respond to the enthusiasm of the syndicate and the energy of Dream Alliance.
As with many films these days, there are pictures of the cast along with pictures of the actual characters, and a 2012 photo of Dream Alliance. But, is quite a delight when most of the cast gather in a pub and sing, once again, Delilah. The real Jan, Brian and Howard, standing next to their acting counterparts, all singing – and the realisation that the real Brian, standing next to Owen Teale, looks very much like the actor, big bushy beard and, even fewer teeth in front then Owen Teale had in the film!
- Audience response to racing films? Horse breeding, training, racing, injuries, success? Feelgood?
- The Welsh setting, the valley, the countryside, the town, streets, shops and supermarkets, homes, rundown areas? The contrast with the training centres? The race tracks, small and local, national? The musical score, the Welsh national anthem, Welsh songs, Delilah?
- A true story, the final credits, the photo of Dream Alliance and going to start in 2012? The photos of Jan and Brian? The cast in the pub singing Delilah, the real characters singing along with the actors who portray them?
- Jan’s story? At home, her age, the children growing up, Brian snoring, sitting watching television and not listening to her? Up early, cleaning the supermarket, at the checkout, Knights and working in the bar? Her past history, early marriage, the trophies and her care for animals? Her relationship with her parents, calling in, the demands of her father? Not able to express any affirmation of her? Friends, people in the town? Dreams but no future?
- Jan and the interest in horses, the magazines, checking out guides, doing her research, information, costs, syndicates? Meeting Howard, not carrying his drinks? The discussions, his past and boasting, failure with the horse, almost losing wife and house? Jan asking his advice?
- The idea of the syndicate, discussions with Brian, handing at the posters, people throwing them away, the scheduled meeting, no one present, waiting, gradually everybody turning up? Discussion, the nature of the syndicate, £10 a week for two years? The range of people belonging, the youngster in the hotel, the proprietor, the man fixated on rules and regulations, the woman from the shop, Maureen and her age, the three strangers…?
- Jan, selecting the mayor, the money, paying for the mayor, bringing her home, readjusting the house, the other animals, the goat? Feeding the horse? Tending it? The discussions about the name for the horse, Dream Alliance? Kerbey, drinking, the pub, outgoing, singing, being part of the syndicate?
- The enquiry about the stud, the stadium, the money, Ryan and Jen taking the horse? Pregnant? Tending the mayor during the pregnancy? Jan at work, the news of the birth, the mare dying?
- Time passing, Dream Alliance growing up, form, possibility for training, Jan doing the research, making the appointment, Philip Hobbs, arriving by helicopter, and Dream Alliance not performing well, then running, Hobbs and the agreement? Jan letting the horse go?
- Syndicate, their meetings, the races, everybody going, dressing up, singing on the bus, the early races, the horse performing well but not winning?
- Philip Hobbs, growing confidence, booking Dream Alliance into significant races, everybody going? Dressed up, in the owners’ section, the group, Lord Avery and his comments, watching the race, capturing Alliance and success?
- The continued races, better races, Steeplechases? Dream Alliance and the accident, anxious phone calls, decisions, insurance issues, Lord Avery offering to buy the horse, the risk and Jan’s decision for recovery? Brian, his research, stem cell treatment, successful?
- Howard, not telling his wife, the past, her confronting him? At his job, memories of his father and achievement, giving up his job? His wife and children supporting him, coming to the race? His wife encountering Jan at the supermarket, the conversation?
- Going to the Welsh national championship? The drama of the race? A victory and achievement?
- Audience response to horse racing – but reservations for those against animal cruelty, the issue of Steeplechases?
