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Deeply moving story

Opera House Cinema Series to screen ‘Lean on?Pete’

Submitted Photo The Opera House Cinema Series will screen the movie “Lean on Pete” this Saturday, June 23, and Tuesday, June 26, at 7:30 p.m.

The next feature film in the Opera House Cinema Series is the compassionate, heartrending drama “Lean on Pete,” starring Charlie Plummer.

It will be screened this Saturday, June 23, and Tuesday, June 26, at 7:30 p.m.

Based on the beloved novel by Willy Vlautin, “Lean on Pete” is a deeply moving story about love, loneliness, family and friendship, told through the unique prism of one boy’s connection to a very special racehorse.

Fifteen-year-old Charley Thompson (Plummer) arrives in Portland, Oregon, with his single father Ray, both of them eager for a fresh start after a series of hard knocks. While Ray descends into personal turmoil, Charley finds acceptance and camaraderie at a local racetrack where he lands a job caring for an aging Quarter Horse named Lean On Pete. The horse’s gruff owner Del Montgomery (Steve Buscemi) and his seasoned jockey Bonnie (Chloe 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.

Submitted Photo The Opera House Cinema Series will screen the movie “Lean on Pete” this Saturday, June 23, and Tuesday, June 26, at 7:30 p.m.

Manohla Dargis, in the New York Times, calls the film “a very fine movie that I haven’t stopped thinking about since I saw it.” David Ehrlich, in IndieWire, calls it “a small gem that covers a vast amount of territory.” David Rooney, in the Hollywood Reporter, calls it “an affecting snapshot of the contemporary American underclass.” Chris Vognar, in the Dallas Morning News, says “the film is a showcase for a very promising young actor named Charlie Plummer. Lanky, sensitive but assured, Plummer gives his character, 15-year-old Charley, a sense of raw decency maintained through trying circumstances.” Rated R for language and brief violence, “Lean on Pete” runs two hours.

The Opera House Cinema Series is sponsored by Lake Shore Savings Bank. Tickets are available at the door for $7 (adults), $6.50 (seniors & Opera House members) and $5 (students) the night of each screening. A book of 10 movie passes is available for $60 at the door or online at http://www.fredopera.org” www.fredopera.org.

Thanks to the generous support of an anonymous donor, the first 20 SUNY Fredonia students at each screening are admitted free.

For more information, call the Opera House Box Office at 679-1891.

The Opera House is equipped with individualized closed captioning headsets for the deaf as well as with assistive listening headsets for the hearing-impaired. Simply request one from any usher or Opera House staff member.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-supported not-for-profit performing arts center located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit “http://www.fredopera.org” www.fredopera.org.

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