Black Beauty

The setting has changed and some of the details have been updated, but the unbridled spirit of Black Beauty enables another big-screen adaptation to thrive.

This contemporary American remake of the venerable British novel again conveys the essence of the unspoken bond between humans and horses, chronicling the bittersweet saga of a wild mustang and a wild teenager who forge a mutually therapeutic connection.

It pares down the original story and relocates the action to New York, yet still is told from the perspective of the titular horse (through anthropomorphic narration by Kate Winslet).

After being bought from rustlers who killed her mother, the ornery Beauty is stabled at a New York rehabilitation center. She’s given her name by Jo (Mackenzie Foy), also reeling from a tragedy when she reluctantly agrees to live with her uncle (Iain Glen), a trainer known for taming unruly animals. “There’s no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse,” he explains to Jo.

Financial circumstances force Jo and Beauty apart, with the latter being shipped across the country from owner to owner with varying levels of commitment to proper care. As the years pass and Jo meets a boyfriend (Calam Lynch), she maintains hope that one day they’ll be reunited.

The visually striking film features some gorgeous landscapes, incorporating lens-flared shots of horses galloping in the wild bathed in sunlight and morning dew. Credit to the animal wranglers for working overtime.

The screenplay by director Ashley Avis (Deserted) is certainly not subtle about its heart-tugging intentions. It’s overstuffed with pearls of wisdom about life and loss, although kids might appreciate the worthwhile lessons about kindness and friendship.

Hopefully this update will at least introduce a new generation of children to Anna Sewell’s 19th century book and its timeless message about animal care and companionship.

Foy (The Nutcracker and the Four Realms) generates sympathy as the youngster seeking redemption, even if overall the characters on four legs are more compelling than those on two. The film succeeds best when focused on Jo and Beauty and their shared resilience, before meandering in the second half.

Sweet-natured and innocuous but also somewhat cloying and unnecessary, this Black Beauty is a poignant if predictable button-pusher that should appeal to more than just equine aficionados.

Rated PG, 109 minutes.