All the Pretty Horses

After watching a movie with your children or students, we encourage parents and teachers to look for education opportunities to teach with movies. Here are a few discussion topics that can help with lesson plans or teaching in the home.

If you watch this movie, note the many things John does that, had he made a different choice, would have protected him from the plight he faced. Consider his illegal crossing of the Mexican border, his activities with Jimmy Blevins, and his relationship with Alejandra.

When Jimmy’s horse is taken from him, John tries to help him get it back. What could they have done differently in order to avoid violence? Did he ever determine if the horse really belonged to Jimmy?

How did John’s answers to his boss’s question about how he came to Mexico affect the trust his boss had in him? How did John’s relationship with his daughter deteriorate that trust further?

How likely is the U.S. courtroom scene at the ending of the movie? In your opinion, had John done anything wrong? Had he already paid for his bad decisions? Do you feel the movie portrayed U.S. and Mexican attitudes and citizens in a fair and accurate way? Under similar circumstances, how would a Mexican crossing into the United States have been treated?