Whilst the storyline is a little schmaltzy and predictable nonetheless it's a pleasant and heartwarming movie. Featuring 15 year old Patrick McCardle (Zac Efron) who initially incurs the wrath of his father Jim (William R Moses) by quitting baseball to take up steeplechasing due to his friendship with ailing local horse trainer Houston Jones (Bill Cobb), Patrick must navigate initial skepticism and opposition from his parents, bullying from the arrogant defending steeplechase champion Randy (Michael Nardelli) and his fears and apprehensions as a novice rider and then the last minute death of Houston to eventually win the local Steeplechase Derby in beautiful rural Georgia.
This was Zac Efron's first lead role and he demonstrates that he is an excellent actor as well as being a handsome heartthrob. Being the same age of his character gave the movie great authenticity - the movie excellently portrays the very typical boundary pushing conflicts between a father and a mid adolescent boy and also the vital role good external mentors can play in the lives of young men.
This was Zac Efron's first lead role and he demonstrates that he is an excellent actor as well as being a handsome heartthrob. Being the same age of his character gave the movie great authenticity - the movie excellently portrays the very typical boundary pushing conflicts between a father and a mid adolescent boy and also the vital role good external mentors can play in the lives of young men.