Over the years, we’ve seen many horse racing movies, but very few, if any, cover the story of the jockey and highlight the jockey as the main character in the movie. Horse racing movies were always focused on the horse, which makes sense, but the jockey is also an important figure in the sport.
Jockeys are often the unsung heroes of the sport. Their life is unglamorous, very difficult, and often painful and sometimes tragic. They are elite athletes with a unique set of skills running in a multi-million-dollar industry where it seems like they don’t get the attention they deserve.
Horse racing is a beautiful sport that is made from several different factors such as the thrill of the race, the emotions of jockeys, and of course the betting.
Fortunately, we have movies like this one, that focus on the jockey’s career and show us what is like to be a brave athlete in a dangerous sport like horse racing.
But let’s dive deeper into this movie and find out why it is a great watch for every horse racing enthusiast.
About the Movie
The movie is directed by Clint Bentley, who is also one of the main writers of the script. Bentley actually did a really good job of highlighting the jockey’s life with all of its ups and downs.
But we also have to appreciate the cast in this movie which has done a really good job in painting us the perfect picture of what is like to be competitive in the Sport of Kings. The main stars of the movie are Clifton Collins, Jr., Molly Parker, and Moises Arias.
Collins, a longstanding character actor, provides a heartbreaking performance that lifts the film on its shoulders since the spectator must feel Jackson’s highs and lows, his uncertainty and optimism, dread and agony. Collins gives a great performance at the center of this delightfully stripped-down, no-frills, melodramatic-free portrait of a man nearing the end.
If Bentley was tailor-made to make a film like Jockey, Collins was tailor-made to star in it. The longstanding “that guy” went into seclusion mode and deep character approach, spending time with genuine equestrians to thoroughly immerse himself in the part of an aged jockey attempting to hang on for one more successful ride into the sunset.
He has a connection to the sport as well, having been taken to races by his father as a child and being the grandson of well-known Western actor Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez.
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The Plot
Clifton Collins, Jr. plays Jackson Silva, a seasoned jockey whose body is beginning to fail. The vet at the racecourse encourages him to see a real doctor, but Jackson understands that in the sport of horse racing, any hint of weakness from a jockey is a liability, so he soldiers on, hoping for one final magnificent ride before hanging up his spurs.
When Ruth (Molly Parker), his longtime trainer, shows up with a fresh young horse, Jackson can quickly tell the horse is a champion—the type of animal riders dreams of riding.
Highlights
Jockey is beautifully filmed, with the finest use of silhouettes and shadows to convey Jackson’s inner thoughts. The man has endured a difficult life, which has left him frigid; but, below, there is a compassionate person that desperately wants to reach out and form meaningful relationships.
Although Jackson first chastises and rejects Gabriel, he quickly exhibits his willingness to be a father figure to this young rider.
Jackson agrees with his friends that coaches are selfish opportunists, but this contrasts sharply with his actual connection with Ruth. Jackson appears to be a loner going through the motions of this lifestyle because that’s what’s expected of him, but underlying it all, there’s someone desiring more.
Ruth, Jackson’s devoted companion, pledges that her new horse is his to ride, which energizes Jackson and helps him fight off his sufferings and recommit to his sport. However, when a rookie rider (Moises Arias) appears on the circuit and claims to be Jackson’s son, things become complicated for Jackson, who has never been able to commit or follow through on anything in his life other than racing.
He is forced to confront both his past and his future while attempting to win one more race.
Final Words
As a sports drama, Jockey defies tradition by telling a multifaceted narrative that is neither victorious nor tragic. Many of the plot beats feel familiar from other films (there are parts of The Wrestler, The Fighter, and even Secretariat).
What distinguishes Jockey, however, is the ultimate message. Jackson keeps pushing ahead since that’s all he knows, but he’s not depressed about the impending conclusion. This is the life that he chose. Clint Bentley makes a terrific start with this captivating character study.
Jockey is particularly personal to Bentley, whose father was both a jockey and a trainer, and the character dialogue appears to be based on genuine exchanges Bentley watched, overheard, or received from his father.
So, if you still haven’t watched this movie, make sure to do so. It is drama like you’ve never seen before.