"I want a pony." It’s one of those universal wants that all little girls tell their parents, most likely having to settle for a little figurine or toy in place of the life-sized creature. Tim McGraw’s latest stab at acting has him looking after not one but two "Flickas," the Swedish word for pretty girl.
Based on the book "My Friend Flicka" by Mary O’Hara, "Flicka" pairs the souls of two wild creatures. Katy McLaughlin (Alison Lohman), a daughter of ranchers, comes home to her family’s farm in the Wyoming wilderness from a year away at boarding school. She hasn’t been doing well, mainly because what she wants to do doesn’t lie in her textbooks.
She’s being prepped for a life outside of the ranching world by her father, Rob (McGraw). While her brother Howard (Ryan Kwanten) pines for the college life away from the horses and the dirt. The farm’s not in good shape either, with financial problems. The top buyer of the farm’s horses is looking for mustangs now.
And it just so happens, Katy finds one: A beautiful black mustang, which she names Flicka. This is the one thing that she wants and her father refuses to give into her. But she does all she can to prove that she and Flicka are one in the same and he needs to understand Flicka to understand his own daughter.
“My Friend Flicka” has been beloved by many since O’Hara sold her first novel. “Flicka” is one movie that parents and children should enjoy together. It should be an all around family event.
What makes “Flicka” stand out is its backdrop. Although the movie is set in Wyoming, all the filming was done in the California area. The mountainous, green expanse featured in the movie screamed “Visit me!”
But what was more awe-inspiring were the shots of the horses running free in the scenic settings. The power and the beauty of these beasts was always the focus when they were onscreen.
“Flicka” had its touching moments as well as its funny moments. There were the scenes with the family sitting at the table, having a nice dinner and those spats involving the rebellious teenagers.
However, the best scenes featured Katy (Lohman) trying to train Flicka. Her persistence to bond with this wild animal will make the audience root for her. Plus personal experience helped her to understand that it would take her time.
Lohman was walking that fine line between innocence and maturity with that wild child meets daddy’s little girl. She had a well rounded performance, from pretty and proper to emotional wreck.
The soundtrack also adds plenty to the movie, with McGraw handpicking all of the songs. The standouts include “Wild Horses” by Natasha Bedingfield, “4:35 a.m.” by Gemma Hayes and McGraw’s own “My Little Girl.”
Lohman sings parts of “All the Pretty Little Ponies” in the movie, but the soundtrack has Catherine Raney singing the song. Having Lohman sing a studio version would have been a nice touch.
If little girls didn’t want a pony prior to seeing “Flicka,” they will afterwards.
Originally from Des Plaines, Ill., Heather moved to Milwaukee to earn a B.A. in journalism from Marquette University. With a tongue-twisting last name like Leszczewicz, it's best to go into a career where people don't need to say your name often.
However, she's still sticking to some of her Illinoisan ways (she won't reform when it comes to things like pop, water fountain or ATM), though she's grown to enjoy her time in the Brew City.
Although her journalism career is still budding, Heather has had the chance for some once-in-a-lifetime interviews with celebrities like actor Vince Vaughn and actress Charlize Theron, director Cameron Crowe and singers Ben Kweller and Isaac Hanson of '90s brother boy band Hanson.
Heather's a self-proclaimed workaholic but loves her entertainment. She's a real television and movie fanatic, book nerd, music junkie, coffee addict and pop culture aficionado.
