The Mustang

Showings

Mary D. Fisher Theatre Fri, Jun 7, 2019 7:00 PM
Mary D. Fisher Theatre Sat, Jun 8, 2019 7:00 PM
Mary D. Fisher Theatre Sun, Jun 9, 2019 7:00 PM
Mary D. Fisher Theatre Tue, Jun 11, 2019 4:00 PM
Mary D. Fisher Theatre Wed, Jun 12, 2019 4:00 PM
Mary D. Fisher Theatre Thu, Jun 13, 2019 4:00 PM
Film Info
Event Type:Narrative Feature
Release Year:2019
Run Time:96 minutes
Rating:R
Production Country:France, United States
Original Language:English
Trailer:https://youtu.be/k2a-KSOCIeY
Cast/Crew Info
Director:Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre
Executive Producer(s):Robert Redford
Cast:Matthias Schoenaerts
Jason Mitchell
Bruce Dern
Connie Britton

Description

“The Mustang” stars Matthias Schoenaearts, Bruce Dern and Jason Mitchell.


Roman Coleman (Matthias Schoenaerts) is halfway through serving an 11-year sentence for domestic violence at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center, when he is selected to participate in an “outdoor maintenance” program as part of his state-mandated social rehabilitation. Soon, Roman is accepted into the selective wild horse training section of the program and paired with a particularly difficult buckskin who mirrors his symptoms of aggression, fear and anxiety.


As Roman struggles to come to terms with his newfound responsibilities, he’s also painfully reminded of his tragic past. His pregnant 16-year-old daughter Martha (Gideon Adlon) visits to ask him to sign emancipation papers that will allow her to inherit her grandmother’s house. Father and child are long estranged, and although Roman senses that Martha is headed down the wrong path, he’s ill-equipped to connect with her from behind bars.


Under the watchful eye of Myles (Bruce Dern), who simultaneously serves as the program’s horse trainer and a father figure to the inmates, Roman attempts to train his horse to be sold at auction in 90 days. Although he’s assisted by Henry (Jason Mitchell), an affable, experienced inmate trainer, progress doesn’t come easy for Roman, whose all-consuming anger makes it difficult for him to strike the right tone while he’s near the animals. But after an initial false start, Roman does begin to develop a strong bond with the mustang, which he names Marquis.


The deep connection he forges with the wild horse allows him to open up and face his inner demons. He’s helped further by his ongoing work with a prison psychologist (Connie Britton) and his participation in both anger management classes and restorative justice sessions, which help convicts develop empathy for the victims of their crimes.


Neither a classic prison drama nor western, “The Mustang” re-contextualizes classic images of the American West to explore one man’s journey through the darkest parts of his soul as he rediscovers his humanity and works toward the possibility of redemption.


“Sensational. Witness the birth of an exceptional new filmmaker.” — Peter Travers, Rolling Stone


“Wildly impressive. It will rock you to your core.” — Perri Nemiroff, Collider


“Fascinating. Matthias Schoenaerts is exceptional.” — Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times


“Exquisite and moving.” — Owen Gleiberman, Variety


“Touching and unexpected.” — David Ehrlich, IndieWire