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At its core, 'Lean On Pete' follows a recognizable road-trip formula — except this time, a horse comes along for the ride. The opening scene introduces us to 15-year-old Charley (Charlie Plummer), jogging past a field of horses before heading back to the modest Oregon home he shares with his dad, Ray (Travis Fimmel). Over breakfast — prepared by Ray's recently married girlfriend (Amy Seimetz) — Charley grabs the final sausage off the plate. Soon he's off on another run as his father heads out for the day. These early moments make it clear: the film isn't only about a teenager and his equine companion. It's also a portrait of hardship. Charley and Ray occupy a cramped, largely empty house, scraping by on a tight budget. Charley survives mostly on cereal, which he stashes in the fridge to protect it from cockroaches. With his dad gone for long stretches, the boy has little to occupy himself — so he runs.
Everything shifts once Charley crosses paths with Del (Steve Buscemi), a gruff horse trainer who takes him on as a sort of helper. The new gig transforms Charley's routine in several meaningful ways. It fills his idle hours, provides cash for groceries he and his father desperately need, and opens the door to a relationship with the horses — particularly an aging racehorse called Lean On Pete, or simply Pete. As Charley bonds with Del and jockey Bonnie (Chloë Sevigny), he discovers that Pete's future is grim: once the horse stops winning, he'll be shipped to Mexico to be slaughtered.
A sudden, violent tragedy rips Charley away from his father, prompting him to take Pete and hit the road in search of an aunt in Wyoming he hasn't spoken to in years. Along the journey, he encounters a string of strangers — some become allies, one becomes a foe. There's a prickly diner waitress with a soft side, a crew of young veterans, a young woman constantly criticized by her grandfather about her size, and a homeless couple who initially appear welcoming. Many of these run-ins wrap up a bit too tidily; the narrative feels strongest during its opening stretch, when the focus stays on Charley's bonds with Del, Bonnie, and his dad.
Watching 'Lean On Pete,' it's difficult not to wonder how differently things might unfold if Charley were a girl or a person of color. Nearly every stranger he encounters seems happy — or at least open — to lending a hand. Twice, police officers flag him down but let him walk off without much scrutiny. Even so, on-screen portrayals of this kind of economic struggle remain uncommon, and 'Lean On Pete' handles the subject with care, anchored by a standout performance from Plummer. 3/5
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Erika W. Smith serves as BUST's digital editorial director. Connect with her on Twitter and Instagram at @erikawynn, or reach out via email at erikawsmith@bust.com.
