it seemed wholly appropriate that at a weekend screening of " the horse whisperer , " the start of the film was delayed some twenty minutes due to " projection difficulties .
"
robert redford 's film version of nicholas evans ' best - selling novel was supposed to have been in theaters last december , going head - to - head with " titanic , " but is only now making its much anticipated debut .
this ( strategic ? )
delay has allowed " the horse whisperer " to compete , sans fanfare , against some smaller , unassuming movies during a relatively slower time at the box office .
no matter .
redford 's film stands head and shoulders above james cameron 's ocean - going tragedy , especially in the writing and acting departments .
whatever the reasons for its postponement , " the horse whisperer " supports the old adage " better late than never .
"
redford has taken evans ' book and given it the big screen treatment .
while parts of " the horse whisperer " are epic in scope and vision , especially the aerial " travelogue " that maps out this great country of ours , its real strength lies in the subtleties it uses to paint the fragile alliance between man and beast .
when her daughter , grace , is involved in a terrible riding accident , hard - driven fashion editor annie maclean ( kristin scott thomas ) devotes herself to rehabilitating both grace and grace 's beloved horse , pilgrim . refusing to have the hideously disfigured animal put down , annie researches every possible source of information about equine cures before discovering an article about a faith - healing cowboy of sorts called tom booker ( redford ) , who has a way with horses and , perhaps , with people too .
undeterred by tom 's initial reluctance to get involved , annie drives grace and a sedated pilgrim across country to meet him , and finally persuades tom to work with the uncontrollable animal .
redford 's film unfolds slowly and lovingly , echoing the patience required in healing both physical and psychological wounds .
the film 's a little long and , even if you have n't read the book , it 's pretty obvious where it 's heading -- but these are minor complaints .
redford and thomas are strong and convincing
as the couple drawn by a mutual affection for the great outdoors and each other ,
but it 's scarlett johansson as grace who shines in a more difficult role .
dianne wiest , chris cooper ( " lone star " ) , and sam neill -- better than i 've seen him before -- round out the respectable supporting cast .
and the director 's respect for horses is clearly in evidence .
one word of warning , however : while brilliantly shot
, the accident scene , involving an out - of - control truck , is extremely disturbing .
redford 's canvas is huge and exquisite .
he does n't hesitate to incorporate vast , sprawling vistas of the american northwest : spectacular , snow - capped mountain ranges , azure skies , and shimmering fields of wheat -- all are resplendent in cinematographer robert richardson 's viewfinder .
veteran english composer john barry was originally signed to score the film but left the project which is a pity , since " the horse whisperer " is " dances with wolves " by way of " out of africa " ( oscar winners both for barry ) .
fortunately , barry 's replacement , thomas newman , contributes a fine score that nicely balances
the majesty of montana with the delicate , human conditions -- sonorous , string - laden passages that swell with pride playing counterpoint to more poetic , introspective movements ripe with nuance .
"
the horse whisperer " is
that rare kind of movie :
it looks good , it feels good , and by golly it does you good .
the wait , it turns out , was well worth it .
strong and convincing it looks good , it feels good , and by golly it does you good . the wait , it turns out , was well worth it . its real strength lies in a fine score that nicely balances brilliantly shot respectable supporting cast stands head and shoulders that rare kind