Parents' Guide to

A Fine Step

By Tracy Moore, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Thoughtful tale of horses and grief has some peril.

Movie PG 2014 111 minutes
A Fine Step Poster Image

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What's the Story?

Championship rider Cal Masterson (Luke Perry) has suffered an injury that likely will prevent him from ever riding horses again. But with the help of a young girl and neighbor Claire (Anna Claire Sneed) and the daughter of a powerful, often ruthless businessman, he finds an unlikely source of inspiration and strength to help him continue working with horses, even if it's in new ways he never expected.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

A FINE STEP is a well-shot, thoughtful meditation on passion for horses and the complicated ways in which we work through grief. Through these subjects a number of interesting relationships play out -- between fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, businessmen and the communities they exploit -- and the film examines the unexpected ways communities take shape. It has some heavy themes, such as the loss of a parent and the grieving process, and it has a tentative, somber mood that can sometimes feel overwrought. But mature teens with a love of horses, particularly the Paso Fino breed, and their care and treatment may find this right up their alley.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whom animals "belong" to. Do you think people can really own animals? Why, or why not?

  • Fandango means something different to each person in the film. Which relationship to the horse do you think was most respectful, and why?

  • The film has a powerful message about grieving different kinds of loss in different ways. Have you ever had to grieve the loss of a person or experience? What was it like? How did you cope?

Movie Details

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