The Mustang Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grumpy convict punches a horse until they become besties and discover the true meaning of…horse stuff, prison, and daddy issues.

🍿 The Mustang: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Roman and the Prison Program

Roman Coleman, a hardened inmate with a history of violence, is transferred to general population in a Nevada correctional facility after years in isolation. Struggling with reintegration, he’s assigned to outdoor maintenance. There, he shovels manure near the wild mustang enclosures. This seemingly mundane task sets the stage for his unexpected journey.

Joining the Mustang Training Program

Noticing Roman’s quiet connection with the horses, Myles, the head of the mustang rehabilitation program, offers him a spot. The program involves training captured wild mustangs for auction, primarily for law enforcement. Roman is paired with Marquis, an especially spirited and untrainable mustang, mirroring Roman’s own wild nature.

Bonding and Setbacks

Roman’s initial attempts to train Marquis are met with resistance, reflecting his difficulty in controlling his own anger. He struggles, often resorting to aggressive tactics. However, with guidance from fellow inmate Henry, Roman slowly learns patience and understanding, forming a fragile bond with Marquis. This bond becomes a catalyst for Roman’s personal growth.

Family and Internal Conflict

The film explores Roman’s strained relationship with his pregnant daughter, Martha, who visits him seeking his signature on a document to sell their family home. Their interactions highlight Roman’s past mistakes and his desire for redemption. Meanwhile, prison politics and a drug smuggling subplot add to the tension, testing Roman’s resolve.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Roman (Matthias Schoenaerts): A long-term inmate with anger issues who finds a connection and a path to rehabilitation through training a wild mustang.
• Marquis (N/A): The untamed mustang who mirrors Roman’s wild spirit and becomes a catalyst for his transformation.
• Myles (Bruce Dern): The crusty but wise horse trainer who runs the mustang rehabilitation program and sees potential in Roman.
• Martha (Gideon Adlon): Roman’s pregnant daughter who is estranged from him and struggles to reconcile with his violent past.
• Henry (Jason Mitchell): A fellow inmate and skilled horse trainer who befriends Roman and offers guidance in connecting with Marquis.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Roman: “I’m not good with people.” – Roman says this to the prison psychologist, revealing his difficulty in connecting with others, which is a central theme of the movie.
• Myles: “You gotta find a way to reach him.” – Myles encourages Roman to connect with the mustang Marquis, highlighting the importance of patience and understanding.
• Martha: “I thought it was my fault that you were still in prison, because I wasn’t a good enough writer.” – Martha reveals her childhood feelings of guilt and abandonment in a very poignant scene with her father.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12 million
• Domestic Gross: $5,043,620
• Worldwide Gross: $6,405,816

💥 The Mustang Reviews

Personal Review

I was really moved by ‘The Mustang.’ It’s not just another prison movie; it’s about finding connection in the most unexpected places. Matthias Schoenaerts is incredible – you can feel his pain and his slow journey to redemption. The scenes between him and the horse, Marquis, were so powerful. I especially loved the ending; it was bittersweet and hopeful at the same time. It really stuck with me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of character-driven dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories of redemption and rehabilitation”
  • “Those who appreciate films about the bond between humans and animals”
  • “People interested in social issues and prison reform”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Themes of incarceration and trauma”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “A gripping character study anchored by Schoenaerts’ powerful performance. The Mustang explores themes of redemption and connection with a sensitivity that avoids sentimentality, offering a raw and authentic look at inmate rehabilitation.
• Variety: “Director Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre brings a fresh perspective to the prison drama genre, focusing on the transformative power of the horse training program. While predictable at times, Schoenaerts’ performance elevates the film.
• Hollywood Reporter: “The Mustang is an absorbing and emotionally resonant drama. Schoenaerts delivers a compelling performance as a man struggling to confront his inner demons while forming an unlikely bond with a wild mustang.

Audience Reactions

The raw emotion between Roman and Marquis was captivating and heart-wrenching.: Viewers praised the authentic portrayal of the horse-human connection and Schoenaerts’ compelling performance.

The film’s exploration of redemption and second chances resonated deeply with audiences.: Many appreciated the movie’s realistic portrayal of prison life and the challenges faced by inmates seeking rehabilitation.

Overall Consensus: A moving and well-acted drama about a convict who finds redemption through a wild horse, praised for its authenticity and powerful performances.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was inspired by real-life wild horse training programs in prisons, aiming to rehabilitate inmates and manage the wild horse population.”
• “Many of the extras in the film were actual inmates from the Nevada State Prison where filming took place, adding to the authenticity of the prison scenes.”
• “Matthias Schoenaerts underwent extensive training in horsemanship to convincingly portray his character’s connection with the mustang.”
• “Robert Redford served as an executive producer on the film, lending his support to the project’s themes of redemption and the human-animal bond.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Mustang?

Currently, ‘The Mustang’ is available for streaming on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV, where you can rent or purchase the movie. Check your local listings for cable or satellite availability. Digital purchase options are also available through various online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Mustang, you might like these similar films:

• The Horse Whisperer (1998): Deals with themes of healing and connection through horsemanship and understanding horses’ behavior.
• Animal Factory (2000): Focuses on life inside a prison, the struggles of inmates, and the search for meaning within confinement.
• Lean on Pete (2017): Explores the bond between a young boy and a horse in a similar emotional and character-driven story.
• The Rider (2017): Shares a similar focus on character redemption and healing of personal trauma through animal connection in a western setting.

🛒 The Mustang Related Products

• The Mustang (Blu-ray): Own ‘The Mustang’ on Blu-ray for a high-quality viewing experience. Perfect for collectors and fans of the film. Get the authentic experience with high def playback.
• Wild Horses of the West: Mustang T-Shirt: Show your support for wild mustangs with this stylish and comfortable t-shirt. Features a beautiful design inspired by the spirit of the American West.
• The Mustang: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Digital Download): Experience the evocative score of ‘The Mustang’ with this digital soundtrack download. Perfect for reliving the film’s emotional moments.
• Breyer Mustang Toy Horse Model: Own a model toy horse inspired by ‘The Mustang’, for collectors and fans of the film. These model horses are hand painted and created by Breyer. Get this iconic look in a 1:9 scale replica.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Mustang features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “No Way in Hell” – performed by Jonathan Boye, Patrice Duthoo & Raphael Glatz
• “Soundtrack from The Mustang” – performed by Jed Kurzel

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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Mark Kermode’s review of ‘Heaven Knows What’ is spot on, as always. If you liked the rawness of that, you NEED to hear what he has to say. It might give you a whole new perspective on things!

✨ Rate