It was another early screening for Cineworld Unlimited Card members last night and a chance see and review Jockey prior to its theatrical release on the 4th of February, I have to say that this wouldn’t be a film that I would normally opt to see, but having an Unlimited Card it’s great to take a chance on a movie especially when we get to see them a little early.
The movie tells the story of an ageing Jockey (Clifton Collins Jr.) as he seems to be spending his twilight season with the hopes of winning one last race title for his longtime trainer (Molly Parker) who has acquired what they believe is a championship horse.
But we soon learn that the years have taken their toll on Jackson Silva (Collins Jr.), the injuries that he has suffered over the many years are risking his ability to continue with his lifelong love of the sport and racing.
Soon a young rookie rider (Moises Arias) arrives on the scene, who claims to be Silva’s son, and Silva takes him under his wing to teach him techniques to be a good jockey, but this also adds a risk for the potential of Silva winning.
As I mentioned earlier, Jockey wouldn’t have been a film I would have rushed to see, but I am glad I caught it at the Unlimited Screening, it is great to catch films such as this one that surprise me, much like the secret unlimited screening of Beast some years back and The Racer that I previewed back in 2020.
There are some great moments that took hold of me such as a scene with the jockeys in a meeting talking about their diets, all the bad injuries that they have suffered over the years during their races and hot spicy soup! The scene is shot in such a way that it has that “documentary” feel to it that takes you deeper into the film and seeing more of what jockeys go through for the passion of the sport they love, no matter what it does to their bodies.
Filmmakers Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar have certainly brought us a movie that takes behind the world of horseracing that we don’t normally see, filming from a live racetrack in Arizona gives the movie a “real” feeling. It all adds to the realism of the movie that works well, also the silhouette shots with the golden sunsets look amazing throughout the movie.
Jockey isn’t going to be for everyone, but it’s great to see Cineworld showing films such as this that aren’t big, brash, Hollywood blockbusters. I found Jockey interesting viewing and although I’m not a horseracing fan, this movie pulled me into the human side of the story of the pain and gain that jockeys put themselves through for the thrill of the win.
Directed by Clive Bentley and starring Clifton Collins Jr., Molly Parker, Moises Arias, Logan Cormier and Colleen Hartnett Jockey is in UK cinemas on the 4th February 2022.
Jockey takes us to the gritty backside of the sport
Movie title: Jockey (2021)
Movie description: An ageing jockey aims for a final championship when a rookie rider arrives claiming to be his son.
Date published: January 31, 2022
Country: UK
Duration: 1h 34m
Director(s): Clint Bentley
Actor(s): Clifton Collins Jr., Moises Arias, Molly Parker
Genre: Drama
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
