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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Flicka
Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation


6.0

based on 21 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 27 votes
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FILM:

A Home at the End of the World

MPAA RATING: PG for some mild language

Starring Alison Lohman, Tim McGraw, Maria Bello, Ryan Kwanten, Daniel Pino, Dallas Roberts, Kaylee DeFer, and Jeffrey Nordling

In this contemporary adaptation of Mary O'Hara's beloved novel "My Friend Flicka," 16-year-old Katy McLaughlin dreams of fulfilling her family legacy by working on her father's ranch in modern-day Wyoming. But Katy's father wants more for her, insisting that Katy go to college. Katy finds a wild mustang, which she names Flicka, and sets out to make her a riding horse. But Flicka and Katy are more alike than she could have imagined. Like Katy, Flicka has a disdain for authority and is not about to give up her freedom without a fight. (20th Century Fox)

GENRE(S):	Drama \| Family/Kids
WRITTEN BY:	Mark Rosenthal Lawrence Konner Mary O'Hara (novel My Friend Flicka)
DIRECTED BY:	Michael Mayer
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: February 6, 2007 Theatrical: October 20, 2006
RUNNING TIME:	94 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA / UK

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Variety Todd McCarthy

It's not really either an animal or a kids' film but rather a young adult drama that rings emotionally true.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer William Arnold

It is purely and fearlessly a girl-and-her-horse movie that isn't trying to be all things for all audiences.

Washington Post Stephen Hunter

So those seeking a softer approach to the realities of both child- and animal-rearing should search elsewhere. The rest of us, meanwhile, are free to enjoy a well-made family drama pitched to young adults that's honest, tough and surprisingly engaging.

Boston Globe Wesley Morris

The best parts of Flicka are its pinch-me optimism and its old-fashioned-movie flourishes.

Miami Herald Connie Ogle

The film paints a fairly realistic portrait of four people bound by blood but -- like all of us -- all too capable of underestimating each other.

Portland Oregonian M. E. Russell

It's hard to argue with the movie's big heart, solid craftsmanship, likable characters, decent acting, gorgeous scenery or the fact that it's going to leave its audience blubbering and smiling.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Scott Tobias

Give Flicka credit for one thing: It stays on message. Set against the gorgeous backdrop of a Wyoming mountain range--a view this time unobstructed by the gay cowboys who so alarm family audiences--the film offers up fantasy footage for every strong-willed girl who ever straddled a saddle, and little more.

Entertainment Weekly Scott Brown

As for our heroine (Lohman), her archetypal struggle with crusty Pa (uncrusty Tim McGraw) feels attitude-heavy and life-lesson-light.

Premiere Glenn Kenny

One casting wild card is the country singer Tim McGraw, and he's very solid in the role of Katie's horse-rancher dad, the kind of guy whose hard-headedness can't mask the size of his heart.

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

With some movies, you know exactly what you're going to see before you even enter the theater, and Michael Mayer's Flicka is one of them: You've got your girl, you've got your horse, and you've got your strict father trying to keep them apart.

TV Guide Angel Cohn

Mayer knows how to tug at the heartstrings, and his admirably restrained cast keeps the family drama from becoming too sugary.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) David Gilmour

Yet -- and this must be said in all fairness -- as things progress, the magic of the story asserts itself over the audience.

The New York Times Manohla Dargis

An entertainingly ridiculous update of Mary O’Hara’s 1941 children’s novel, “My Friend Flicka.”

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

A modernized version of that great sentimental horse movie, 1943's "My Friend Flicka," and it comes with the shiny trappings, high professionalism and glamorous accessories you might expect...Something is missing though.

The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen

A thoroughly uninspiring drama that ultimately buckles under Michael Mayer's weighty direction.

San Francisco Chronicle Peter Hartlaub

There are some nice moments and beautiful scenery, but the film is often slow and the dialogue is overwrought.

Chicago Reader Andrea Gronvall

Another miscalculation by sophomore director Michael Mayer.

LA Weekly Ella Taylor

It takes a pristine gift for mediocrity to ruin Mary O'Hara’s muscular children's novel about a wild boy and his wild horse, but director Michael Mayer has brought off the massacre with aplomb.

New York Post Lou Lumenick

As misconceived as it is corny and predictable.

Philadelphia Inquirer Carrie Rickey

If all you ask of a movie is that it have scenic stars and some scenery (here the Sierras of California substitute for the Rockies of Wyoming), then Flicka is adequate. Me, I expected some conflict, some resolution, and a horse that took me on a wild ride. This one really never gets out of the gate.

Austin Chronicle Toddy Burton

No doubt the most devoted horse lovers in the tween set will get their fill, but parents should sneak out for a very long popcorn break.

The average user rating for this movie is 6.0 (out of 10) based on 27 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Sarah V. gave it a9:
i thought it was great and TIm McGraw did an amazing job. Great cast, great acting, beautiful setting, great story.

Drunken F. gave it a0:
Serious right? Boring, kids control parents. Awful.

Glue Guy gave it a0:
Guess someone forgot to mention that two horses died in this movie huh? Whinny brat, conspiring brother, give in mother, Father stuck with ranch hands to clean up mess. Slap the brats and talk some sense to the spouse and get this movie going with a decent plot already!

Maddie K. gave it a10:
Amazing movie, about being free, and a great lesson to anyone who does not respect the horse.

Monika C. gave it a10:
Flicka is the best movie on earth a LOVED that movie, Alison Lohman is an amazing actress!

C&S Serious Sisters gave it a1:
We didn't get it. Girl, unlikeable and lazy. Brother, likeable and lazy. Mother, out to lunch. Father, piece of wood. Horse, no appeal what so ever. Story line, non existent. Skip this one.

Steve gave it an8:
Well-done tweener movie. Enjoyable for adults also.

Flicka Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Flicka
Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation