From acclaimed filmmaker Andrew Haigh comes a deeply moving story told through the unique prism of one boy s connection to a very special racehorse. 15-year-old Charley (Charlie Plummer) arrives in Portland, Oregon, with his single father Ray (Travis Fimmel), both eager for a fresh start after a series of hard knocks. While Ray descends into personal turmoil, Charley finds camaraderie at a local racetrack where he lands a job caring for an ageing quarter horse named Lean On Pete. The horse s gruff owner Del (Steve Buscemi) and his seasoned jockey Bonnie (Chloë Sevigny) help Charley fill the void of his father s absence until he discovers that Pete is bound for slaughter, prompting him to take extreme measures to spare his new friend s life. Charley and Pete head out into the great unknown, embarking on an odyssey across the new American frontier in search of a loving aunt Charley hasn t seen in years. They experience adventure and heartbreak in equal measure, but never lose their irrepressible hope and resiliency as they pursue their dream of finding a place they can call home. Featuring an award-winning performance by Plummer, Lean on Pete is a compassionate and heartrending look at the desire for love, family and acceptance.
