There is no more benign film likely to be released this summer-this year, for that matter-than "Black Beauty," an adaptation of Anna Sewell's 1877 novel about the life of a horse.
The novel, which takes place in the days when horses were valued more for work than for beauty and raised English consciousness regarding their treatment, is narrated by the horse itself. The movie follows suit.
This takes a little getting used to, since talking horses generally confine themselves to animation and rarely take themselves seriously even then. But Black Beauty is nothing if not earnest. It's part of his charm.
"Sold?" he cries at one point (in the voice of Alan Cumming). "Every horse knows that terrifying word." Later in the story, having spotted his onetime sweetheart, Ginger, he sighs, "That night I dreamed of her, of what was and of what might have been."
Despite such stretchy moments, there is dignity in the voiceover, and in the pared-down story fashioned by writer Caroline Thompson ("Edward Scissorhands," "The Secret Garden"), who makes her directing debut with this film. Thompson has captured the book's voice and lifted from it events that follow a strong dramatic arc, changing them subtly so the filmed story hangs together even better than the original.
The movie looks appropriately sumptuous, with countryside scenes that quote from "The Secret Garden" (even to the extent of using "Garden's" Andrew Knott as young Joe Green), and a wonderfully chaotic rendering of London's Covent Garden. Thompson is served well by support from cinematographer Alex Thomson ("Cliffhanger"), production designer John Box ("Lawrence of Arabia") and costume designer Jenny Beavan ("A Room With a View").
The impressive cast, in addition to Knott, fills in the lesser-but still crucial-roles of humans in this horse's life. Peter Cook and Eleanor Bron ("Bedazzled") sneer chillingly as Lord and Lady Wexmire; David Thewlis, making a decided departure from his role in "Naked," is the soul of goodness as Jerry, a London cabdriver and, briefly, Beauty's owner.
"Black Beauty" is solid craftsmanship but not flashy moviemaking. It's pretty and a trifle bland, but engaging enough to entertain a wide range of ages. Best of all, it does so without trauma and without distorting the story's general message of kindness to conform to some of today's political agendas regarding animals.
``BLACK BEAUTY''
(STAR)(STAR)(STAR)
Written and directed by Caroline Thompson; adapted from the novel by Anna Sewell; photographed by Alex Thomson; production designed by John Box; costumes designed by Jenny Beavan; edited by Claire Simpson; music composed by Danny Elfman; produced by Robert Shapiro and Peter Macgregor-Scott. A Warner Bros. release; opens Friday at the Esquire, Biograph, and outlying theaters. Running time: 89 minutes. MPAA rating: G.
THE CAST
Voice of Black Beauty.........................................Alan Cumming
Young Joe Green...............................................Andrew Knott
Earl of Wexmire.................................................Peter Cook
Countess of Wexmire...........................................Eleanor Bron
Jerry Barker.................................................David Thewlis