Admirable film.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

I initially watched "The Long Shot" because it features Marsha Mason, one of my favorite actresses, but quickly became involved. Central to the story — dominating it — is a woman and her daughter — and a horse — abandoned by the woman's shiftless, perhaps vicious husband, who, mostly offstage, remains an important contributer to the plot. There is little that can be said about the movie without risking a spoiler, except that Mason remains as entertaining as she ever was. It is, despite the focus on horses, very much a "people" movie and the result is so exciting — especially emotionally — and satisfying that I think it's enough to say simply don't miss it. I grew up around horses and horse people and am normally suspicious of "horse movies." I wasn't even aware that this was one. And it turned out delightfully.Nuff said.

Sorry folks, but if you are looking for a good horse movie, this is NOT one to watch. While I can appreciate the back story, this movie was a mess. Poor acting, editing and research fails this movie.As an equestrian, there is nothing more frustrating to watch inaccuracies in film. While I would not get too technical, there are blatant, obvious , most BASIC errors made in this film that makes this movie laughable. I've worked with a semi-blind horse, and I know many older horses that went blind, and the fact still remains, each horse handles this differently. The fact that the 'vet' said this horse would not be able to eat or drink is completely incorrect, and really is a poor testament to the research of the team. If this horse had a condition, it should have been mentioned in the film. Horses just don't up and go blind all of a sudden. Also, horses don't lead themselves to a trailer and I know for a fact that blind horses do not load trailers easily.Also, in regards to other horse aspects of this film. Trainers who work dressage horses do not give up if a horse won't move forwards, riders actually RUN their stirrup irons up before leading a horse around, as it can bruise a horse's shoulders along with ruining those saddles, which can run close to five grand for the top kind. Added to the fact that horses and rider who preform freestyles(kurs) actually ride to music, and that they are warming up a lot sooner than just 'appearing' for their class. They also have time to trot around the ring and cue the music before entering. The horse that was being used was at best, PSG level. He was older, and that was apparent in his movement. While this isn't as much of a problem, by the time you get past all the other inaccuracies, what is left is a movie that really has nothing to stand on.For people in Hollywood--PLEASE. take the time to research horses for films. There are many, many things I see that are so basic in knowledge, yet films still forget to show these facts. It is frustrating to have young riders come to me for lessons, and except them to run like a Disney movie. True horsemanship requires a lot of work, very few ribbons, and the occasional blood. Lots of sweat, lots of tears, and in the end, it all about the relationship of horse and rider.Better equestrian movies or movies that families might enjoy are: Internatiol Velvet, Sylvester, Man From Snowy River, Black Stallion, the Horse Whisperer. Sure, these movies also have their quirks/errors, but by and large, had better research and workings with their horses in the films.

The Movie turned out pretty good. It was really fun to make. Hallmark brought me out as a consultant, being that my Dad wrote the screen play based on me. There is a lot of truth in it and a lot that was started on truth and then hollywoodized. The actors and actresses where great. A lot nicer then I would have guessed. Julie Benz is such a fun and caring person. She had to overcome her fear of horses before filming and she did just that. The horse used as Tolo in the movie really liked her and they started to form a bond during filming. Marsha Mason was wonderful too. When we filmed parts of the movie about tolo going blind, it was tough on me. It brought back a lot of sad memories. I often found myself crying. Marsha was always there with a tissue for me and comforted me. Thank you Marsha. Thank you Julie for becoming a good friend to know. I really did have a horse that went blind and I competed on after overcoming some medical problems of my own. Sad to say my horse Tolo has since passed on, so this is very special to me to have a movie made about him. I hope everyone enjoys it.Amy

I am a Julie Benz fan from her days on Buffy the Vampire Slayer as the vampress Darla. I nice to see her in a good old Hallmark film.**Spoilers ahead**The film itself is what your expect from a Hallmark Drama. The shiftless husband abandons his wife and daughter with no money and a bank lien on their horse. She finds work on a horse ranch with the owner who lost her own daughter. Her horse goes blind and she finds a love interest in the local veterinarian. In order to save her horse from the bank she enters a horse dancing competition. This being a Hallmark film I am guessing you know how is will end. The fact is the Julie Benz, along with her young co-star, make this movie believable and enjoyable Hallmark movie.