The Horse Whisperer

The Horse Whisperer is the name of a 1995 novel by Nicholas Evans and of a 1998 film adaptation of it. The latter was directed by Robert Redford. The main stars were Redford himself, Kristin Scott Thomas and Scarlett Johansson.

The film begins on a winter morning, with teenagers Grace MacLean (Johansson) and Judith (Kate Bosworth) taking their horses for a ride. An accident involving an icy slope and a truck results in Judith and her horse being instantly killed. Grace and her horse, Pilgrim, survive but are badly injured. Grace loses part of her leg in the subsequent surgery.

Some time later, the duo have recovered as well as expected. Their bodies are healthy, but the resulting trauma is ever-present. Grace is bitter and withdrawn, Pilgrim wild and uncontrollable. Annie MacLean (Scott Thomas) senses that the two will have to recover together. She calls for Tom Booker (Redford), the titular horse whisperer. The story explores both the recovery and the mutual attraction developed between the two adults, which is confusing and distressing for them as Annie is still married and Tom is recovering from a divorce.

The film received mixed reviews. While critics praised the "exquisitely crafted, morally and thematically mature picture", several felt it was overly long and dull. Nevertheless it was a box office hit, earning $186,883,563 worldwide. It earned $75,383,563 in the United States, the 27th most successful film of its year.


 * In-Universe Catharsis: The experience both Grace and Pilgrim undergo.
 * Spared by the Adaptation - Tom Booker.