220. Ride Like A Girl; movie review

RIDE LIKE A GIRL
Cert PG
98 mins
BBFC advice: Contains  strong language, sex references

Everyone of a certain age will remember Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet - the story of the young girl who dresses like a boy to win the world's greatest steeplechase.
Of course, that was fiction - whereas the tale of Michelle Payne is fact.
Payne came from an Australian family of ten which lived and breathed horseracing. All but one of her older brothers and sisters were jockeys.
Rachel Griffiths, who first came to my attention as an actress in Muriel's Wedding, makes her directorial debut with this faithful telling of the history of Michelle and the Payne family.
It is one of many hard knocks and even tragedy but, ultimately, is every bit if not more uplifting than National Velvet.
Teresa Palmer plays Michelle as a headstrong young woman who is not frightened to take on male jockeys and has a habit of putting her foot in her mouth.
Her dream is to win The Melbourne Cup - one of the most prestigious races in the world.
Her dad, Paddy, portrayed by Sam Neill, cuts an exasperated figure - torn between wanting glory for his daughter and fear she may injure herself.
With echoes of the story of Bob Champion and Aldaniti who won the Grand National in 1981, Michelle is paired with injury-prone Prince of Penzance. It is an unlikely combination, to say the least.
Palmer draws in the audience as Michelle, reflecting the determination which she showed despite many obstacles
But most memorable is the performance of Stevie Payne as himself.
Stevie has Down's Syndrome and, in real life, has worked closely with Michelle as groom to her horses with whom he has deep affinity. His is the loyal but cheeky yin to his sister's very serious yang.
His contribution adds yet another dimension to a movie which is so much more than a rah-rah horseracing film.
This is about family, courage, determination with moments of humour. Mrs W and I both thoroughly enjoyed it.

Reasons to watch: Riveting true story
Reasons to avoid: A little cheesy at times

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? The first female jockey to race in the Grand National was Charlotte Brew in 1977, riding Barony Fort with 200-1 odds. Since then 16 female jockeys have entered the competition, with Katie Walsh most successful – coming third in 2012.

The final word. Rachel Griffiths: “Women just were so happy to see that anything is possible if you really are determined and you believe in yourself and stick up for yourself.” The Guardian

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