In a time when many human actors fancy imitation as the sincerest form of self-expression, a horse rises out of the stable and presents an Oscar-winning performance without uttering a single neigh... hats off and a big round of applause to the director/writers of this film for presenting the western in a "people-aquarium" as observed by the sarcastic and strangely bemused face of Hidalgo horse. My favorite shot f this film, which in itself is fair Indiana Jones/adventure-love story material, all of which is elevated when said love interests are making "googly eyes" at one another and they cut away to the horse whose expression is one of "Oh god! Not another movie love scene where they make googly eyes at each other." And it's not an over the top performance (like Babe that stupid pig or Beethoven the dog, lovable but definitely NOT understated).. no, the horse doesn't flap his gums or do nun-chuck tricks with his tail.. his look says it all.... there's been westerns and epic historical fantasies (told from many perspectives.. though not all human) and now finally there is a visionary element which introduces an element of self-amusement with human history, behavior and story telling.
Review of Hidalgo
