Black Beauty
Black Beauty

Movie spotlight

Black Beauty

2020
Movie
110 min
English

Born free in the American West, Black Beauty is a horse rounded up and brought to Birtwick Stables, where she meets spirited teenager Jo Green. The two forge a bond that carries Beauty through the different chapters, challenges and adventures.

Insights

IMDb5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes50%
Metacritic41/100
Google Users59%
Director: Ashley AvisGenres: Drama, Family, Adventure

Plot Summary

Set in contemporary New York, this adaptation follows Black Beauty, a wild horse born in the American West, as she is taken from her family and brought to a family-run racing center. She forms a deep bond with Jo, a grieving teenager who has just lost her parents. Together, they navigate trauma, loss, and the complexities of human and animal relationships.

Critical Reception

Black Beauty (2020) received a mixed to negative reception from critics and audiences. While some praised its visual appeal and the performances of its voice cast, many found the modern interpretation lacking the emotional depth and classic charm of the original novel. The film was criticized for its pacing and an overly sentimental approach.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its modern aesthetic and beautiful cinematography.

  • Criticized for deviating significantly from the source material's spirit.

  • The voice performances, particularly Kate Winslet's as Beauty, were noted as a highlight.

Google audience: Google users had mixed feelings, with many appreciating the film's visuals and the emotional connection formed between the horse and the young protagonist. However, a significant portion of viewers felt the story was too simplistic and did not live up to the legacy of the original book, finding it overly sentimental and lacking in narrative substance.

Awards & Accolades

None notable.

Fun Fact

The film features a diverse cast of supporting horses, many of whom are rescues that were trained specifically for the movie.

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