Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
Born free in the American West, Black Beauty is a horse rounded up and brought to Birtwick Stables, where she meets spirited teenager Jo Green. The two forge a bond that carries Beauty through the different chapters, challenges and adventures.
This 2020 adaptation of Anna Sewell's classic novel modernizes the story with a female protagonist and American setting, but the narrative remains largely familiar and predictable. The cinematography captures the sweeping landscapes adequately, and the acting is serviceable, particularly Mackenzie Foy as Jo. However, the film offers little that distinguishes it from other girl-and-horse dramas, and the plot follows well-worn beats. The ending provides modest emotional closure but doesn't elevate the material significantly. It's a competent, heartfelt family film that doesn't transcend its genre.