Is Thoroughbred Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1936)

📖 The Core Premise

Thoroughbred returns to the screen in 1936, bringing a fresh narrative to the Drama, Romance genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Joan (Helen Twelvetrees) is a Canadian, adopted by Ma Dawson (Nellie Ferguson), a struggling horse breeder and trainer. Joan thinks "legs don't make a race horse, it's blood", and so she buys an unwanted thoroughbred colt called Stormalong. Helped by Ma's son Tommy Dawson (Frank Leighton), Joan restores the horse to health and fitness, and soon enough the horse is winning race after race, becoming a favourite for the Melbourne Cup."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. While not a career-best, Helen Twelvetrees's presence adds a necessary stability to the proceedings. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Thoroughbred worth your time? If you appreciate Drama, Romance films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Thoroughbred is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 89 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.