Flicka (2006)

Young Katy claims a wild horse as her own -- an effort to prove to her father that she is capable of one day taking over the family ranch.

Director:

Michael Mayer

Writers:

Mark Rosenthal (screenplay), Lawrence Konner (screenplay)

Stars:

Alison Lohman, Tim McGraw, Maria Bello

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tim McGraw	...	Rob McLaughlin
Maria Bello	...	Nell McLaughlin
Alison Lohman	...	Katy McLaughlin
Ryan Kwanten	...	Howard McLaughlin
Danny Pino	...	Jack
Dallas Roberts	...	Gus
Kaylee DeFer	...	Miranda Koop
Jeffrey Nordling	...	Rick Koop
Dey Young	...	Esther Koop
Nick Searcy	...	Norbert Rye
Buck Taylor	...	Wagner
Wade Williams	...	Man with Clipboard
David Burton	...	Rider #6
John O'Brien	...	Mr. Masterson
Armie Hammer	...	Male Prefect

Storyline

Coming of age story set in the mountain vistas, A headstrong 16 year old Katy McLaughlin desires to work on her family's mountainside horse ranch, although her father insists she finish boarding school. Katy finds a mustang in the hills near her ranch. Katy then sets her mind to tame a mustang and prove to her father she can run the ranch. But when tragedy happens, it will take all the love and strength the family can muster to restore hope.

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Plot Keywords:

bus | falling off a horse | horseback riding | friendship | downpour | 

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Taglines:

The biggest dreams take the most courage.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Twentieth Century Fox [France] Twentieth Century Fox [United States]

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 October 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

My Friend Flicka

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,703,551, 22 October 2006, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$20,998,709, 4 February 2007

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox 2000 Pictures, Zucker-Netter Productions, Major Studio Partners

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tim McGraw and Maria Bello are playing the parents of Ryan Kwanten and Alison Lohman, even though the two are but 9 and 12 years older than Kwanten and Lohman, respectively.

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Goofs

The Never Summer Mountains, referenced in the very beginning of the film, are in Colorado, not Wyoming.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Katherine "Katie" McLoughlin: [narration] I live on top of the world... in the Never Summer Mountains of Wyoming, 8,000 feet closer to the sky. In my mountains when spring finally comes to save me from a perpetual winter, the world comes to life again and I remember what it is I'm here for. I'm the only daughter in a long line of ranchers and when we let our horses out for the first time every spring, I love to watch them rediscover the world. I can see in them an expression of my own restless spirit. Charged ...

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Crazy Credits

Because of the accidental death of two horses during filming, the usual disclaimer of "No animals were harmed in the making of this film" does not appear in the end credits.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: The Prestige/Flicka/Marie Antoinette/A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)

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Soundtracks

Where Did I Go Right
Written by Tim McGraw, Brad Warren, Brett Warren and George Canyon
Performed by The Warren Brothers

User Reviews

Gorgeous film about sensible teen and her love and tribulations for her horse in a decent spectacle

This is about a teenaged and traumatized young girl named Katy McLaughlin(Alison Lohman). After his boarding school she returns to home along with her lovely mother(Maria Bello) and family . The adolescent tries rehabilitate a wild horse and simultaneously her father(Tim McGraw). She captures it, being gently handled , she tames the wild stallion and names it Flicka. The magnificent horse escapes and Katy is determined effort to find her missing black colt. The father along with his cowboys(Danny Pino) tracks it down and is captured again and sold to a rodeo competition owner. But domineering father over her and brother(Ryan Kwanten) drives them both a renowned Mustang championship, a spectacular rodeo with savage horses.

The story concerns on a rebel teenager and a wild and intelligent horse who comes to be his best friend. The tale gets to capture the qualities about love, sacrifice, friendship and dramatic parents-sons relationship. Although is slow moving at times and some pedestrian, the movie is still effective enough to hold interest and bring a tear or two. Evocative and pleasant musical score by Aaron Zigman and glamorous,stunning cinematography by Michael Muro, reflecting spectacular outdoors. Director Michael Mayer after his impressive directorial debut('At home at the end of the world' with Colin Farrell and Dallas Roberts who plays here a secondary role) directs his second movie, exquisitely filmed and with many precious moments . The picture is a worthwhile treat the whole family can enjoy.

Another films about teens-horses relationship are the following : Tonka(directed by Lewis R. Foster with Sal Mineo), The Black Stallion(1979, Carrol Ballard) and different versions about 'Black Beauty' novel by Anne Sewell, directed by Max Nosseck(1946), filmed by James Hill(1971) with Mark Lester, and adaptation by Caroline Thomson(1994) with Sean Bean, among others.