Starring: Toni Collette, Owen Teale, Damian Lewis, Karl Johnson, Nicholas Farrell, Alan David, Sian Phillips
Distributor: Sony Pictures
Runtime: 113 mins. Reviewed in Jun 2021
Reviewer: Fr Peter Malone msc
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No false advertising here. The title is accurate! Over the decades, horse racing films have been always popular. There are the horses. There is the training. There are the races. There are the triumphs. And, of course, there are moments of tragedy. And they are all here in this story, based on actual characters and events.
And this is a true Welsh story. There hasn’t been so much Welsh patriotism on screen for quite a while. The valley setting, the small town falling on hard times, friendships – and, later, the national anthem sung by Katherine Jenkins, other Welsh songs, and some rivalry with Tom Jones in several sing-songs of Delilah.
The great strength of the film comes from Toni Collette as Jan. Collette has never been afraid to portray hard-working ordinary women. And Jan is the epitome of a hard-working woman. The ageing Jan works several jobs – rising at dawn to clean and work the register at the local supermarket and bartends at a workingmen’s club at night, all while caring for elderly parents and her disabled husband, Brian.
When Jan hears accountant, Howard (Lewis) boasting in the pub, she gets the idea of buying a mare, taking it to stud, hoping for a colt. And that is what she does. The screenplay gives adequate attention to her hard work and research, showing this was not an easy achievement. She finances the purchase by suggesting a local syndicate of around 10 people contributing £10 a month for two years. Howard agrees to manage the finances – and, initially reluctant townspeople agree, the pub owner, the young worker, the local official who loves quoting rules and regulations, the matriarch of the town, and the town alcoholic…
Of course, it all takes time, and we share Jan’s anxieties. However, she is supported by Brian (played by Owen Teale whose teeth gaps are quite a distraction).
One of the difficulties is finding the right trainer. Jan goes for the best but at first receives an uninterested reception until Dream Alliance makes the right moves. But it is not lightning-instant success, with seconds and thirds in the races until a victory.
Part of the enjoyment is seeing the syndicate members, including the exuberant drunk, Kerby (Johnson), and Maureen (Phillips in her mid-80s) all in the owners’ lounge, shoulder to shoulder with racing aristocracy!
After Dream Alliance is injured, Jan and the syndicate have to make a decision on whether to fund the recovery.
Yes, we have seen many variations of the theme, but you would have to be something of a stone not to respond to the enthusiasm of the syndicate and the energy of Dream Alliance.
As with many films these days, there are pictures of the cast along with pictures of the actual characters, and a 2012 photo of Dream Alliance. But, is quite a delight when most of the cast gather in a pub and sing, once again, Delilah. The real Jan, Brian and Howard, standing next to their acting counterparts, all singing – and the realisation that the real Brian, standing next to Owen Teale, looks very much like the actor, big bushy beard and, even fewer teeth in front then Owen Teale had in the film!
12 Random Films…
