Shergar (1999)

Sadly Over-hyped

Let's be realistic.

Best movie ever!

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

I thought this story might be interesting, but in the end it was just too simple. Apparently based around a true story of a stolen race horse in Ireland, it centers around a young boy who loves horses, takes to Shergar, and the story of his interaction with the horse.The old gentlemen he encounters is a Tinker. not sure what that is - must be an Irish term, perhaps for gypsy or vagabond. but he has a young daughter and of course, the boy and the girl become friends. The story is kind of slow. Not a lot happens. The end is somewhat contrived. Many silly choices are made. Just not a very interesting story. The cinematography is very nice. The acting is nothing special, and the story unfulfilling. I cannot recommend this film unless you have nothing better to watch tonite.

lets start with the summary, a horse with a talent for racing, a boy who loves it, sees that it is going to get killed, steals it, hides from the evil persons, and they chase each other around. Typical Hollywood plot. But that is where the typicality ends... now we have a new actor, a nice setting, none of that inside, back projection, blue screen nonsense. Quite refreshing. I will admit the storyline does go a bit over the top. I mean... dying a horse a different colour... is that the best they could think of? The part where the Land Rovers are chasing shergar also... the gaps in the ruins are just big enough for the cars, i mean - no bigger or too small - just right. and did the producer have a love of these Land Rovers? it would seem so as when the camera pans back and the 4X4s have surrounded Kevin and Shergar you can see that all the cars are Land Rovers. and there are a hell of a lot of them...The Script is quite boring in some parts, but then quite Interesting in parts. The part at the beginning is quite gritty and exciting, but it does tend to go downhill from there. Pointless cameos from Mickey Rourke and Julian Fellowes (from monarch of the glen) are not called upon, neither is some scenes in the script, they just drag on and on and on...The action is quite good though - bringing this film onto the up - the car chases are well filmed and cleverly directed - so are the fight scenes. although the scene where the dogs get shot and Kevin takes a shower in front of the horse are both unnecessary. The ending - turn away now if you wish not to know- Kevin and Shergar , Cornered at a cliff by the villains and there Land Rovers, jump off the cliff. (to avoid being shot) Kevin is then picked up by Ian Holm and his daughter as he floats and is drowning. He is saved but shergar is lost.all in all, i thoroughly Enjoyed this film. It is worth a go if you like horses, Land Rovers or are a big Hollywood fan. if you are neither - don't bother.

Rourke does his usual bit part,as a sinister,rancorous,Neanderthalian,ferocious,evil jerk,in the same mold as in "Picture Claire","Out in Fifty","Get Carter","Double Team" and the rest of the garbage he happens to be in.He has very few lines.Of course,all this is just junk,undervaluing Rourke,abasing him,and doesn't matter for his characterization as an actor.Still ,after seeing "A Prayer ...","Johnny Handsome","Barfly","9 1/2 Weeks","Year of the Dragon",etc.,etc.,for many years I considered Rourke an outstanding,smart,intelligent man.I think he has changed since.He looks callous,calcined."He went about with gloomy looks;/Despair inhabited his breast/And made the man a perfect pest."(Belloc,"The Example").I had absolutely no other reason to watch this dull movie except that Rourke was in.

When recounting these events that took place some years ago, (hard to believe this actually happened)i thought, well, there is a basis for an interesting story here. Many secrets were never uncovered, the horse never found, the main conspirators never captured etc.However, this film seems to be distracted by character study, and very little attention payed to the plot. Some other questions are raised though, like why on earth would Mickey Rourke be in this film? Its good to see rourkes career has taken off again, but he must cringe at the mention of this rubbish.If the subject matter interests you, do an internet search on the topic, you'll be more educated and dare i say more entertained. Avoid this.