Jockey Parent Guide

The life of a professional jockey is more than just racing down the track atop a high-spirited thoroughbred. It demands intense physical conditioning and rigorous weight requirements and carries a high risk of serious injury. The lifestyle doesn’t get easier as you get older, as long-time pro Jackson Silva (Clifton Collins Jr.) is learning the hard way. Apart from the aggravation of old injuries, he’s having a hard time cutting enough weight to be competitive against younger riders. He’s trying to stay in the game long enough to help Ruth (Molly Parker), a trainer with a promising new horse. Things only get more complicated when he meets Gabriel (Moises Arias), a new up-and-comer who claims to be Jackson’s son. It’s going to be difficult for Jackson to balance his career and his newfound personal life…especially as age continues to creep up on him.

Those of you looking for a fast-paced film about horse racing should keep looking. This is a movie almost solely about Jackson and his struggles and has very little to do with the adrenaline you’d expect at the track. As such, the film really hinges on Clifton Collins Jr.’s performance. Thankfully, he does a remarkable job in bringing nuanced emotion to the performance, making Jackson feel like a complex and troubled character.

The downside is that the other characters, despite quality acting, don’t get to develop much at all. They’re bit players in a story about someone else, and I think the film missed an opportunity to flesh them out more. Even a more detailed look at the horse racing aspects of the film would bring a nice contrast (and some much-needed excitement) to the rather single-minded story.

Content concerns are largely limited to over two dozen sexual expletives and some brief depictions of substance use (including marijuana). Given the rate at which his life seems to be unravelling, those are unsurprising issues for Jackson to be having, but that doesn’t make the movie any more suitable for children. And frankly, I doubt children would be interested in this slow, focused tale about the perils of ageing – I’m not even sure how many adults want to invest their time and money. It’s a solid film with great acting and a good story, but I think it lacks the excitement or breadth to draw in a big audience.