The film manages to sidestep typical Hollywood narratives, and its strength is enhanced by the Withdrawal-Devastation-Return framework drawn from Mediterranean storytelling traditions. However, what truly captivated me and those who saw it Friday night at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival wasn't just that structure; it was the profound moral complexity of this moving story and world created by Writer/Director Christian Duguay. The film is consistently powerful throughout its runtime. The movie stays true to a common theme found in films centered around horses: genuine emotion as the foundation for real connections between people, even though some unexpected twists later on highlight how important internal rewards are compared to external ones like wealth and recognition. It succeeds in making you invest in and care about the characters, and ultimately, subtly, it demonstrates and celebrates those virtues themselves. The narrative preserves all of life’s inherent doubts and fragility, but the underlying message is emotionally persuasive and undeniable. *Ride Above* is a lovely, poignant, beautiful film that engages your imagination and feelings. I felt like I was changed for the better by having watched it.

Source on TMDB