Twelve-year-old Moondance Alexander (Kay Panabaker) is an outsider at her school and is constantly ridiculed by some snobby rich girls who consider her a freak, mainly because of what she wears and how she looks. This sensitive young girl is still grieving the death of her father; she regularly visits his grave to have conversations with him about what is happening in her life. She loves her mother (Lori Loughlin), too, but she has her hands full running a local art studio.
One day just after school ends for summer break, Moondance encounters a beautiful pinto pony and everything in her life goes into turnaround. Animals can do that with their playfulness and unconditional love. They can lift our spirits and send us into a swoon much like a romance. Moondance names the horse Checkers. When she learns he belongs to a local stable, she goes to visit him. The owner, Dante (Don Johnson), is quite cranky, clearly doesn't like people very much, and cherishes silence and solitude. With her rare combination of enthusiasm and persistence, Moondance convinces him to make a trade. She'll work for him cleaning the stables, if he'll let her ride Checkers. When she learns of an upcoming equine jumping competition called the Bow Valley Classic, she pulls off an even more impressive miracle: getting Dante to train her for the competition. Everything is stacked against her: her inexperience, the fact that Checkers is a pinto and not a thoroughbred, and the bias of the judges who don't like to break tradition.
Moondance Alexander is directed by Michael Damian who draws out a perky and appealing performance from newcomer Kay Penabaker. Don Johnson is suitably grumpy as the man who has made too many mistakes in his past and has given up on himself and others — until he meets Moondance. Ice skater Sasha Cohen and Whitney Sloane are convincing as two nasty rich girls who enjoy tormenting Moondance until she enters their world at the Bow Valley Classic and proves her mettle.
This release from FoxFaith, the inspiration and family-oriented film division, is melodramatic fare that rises above its predictability thanks to the fine acting. It also makes the point that animals can have an extraordinary effects on the human beings who love them.
Special DVD features include an "I Choose You" music video by Laura Wright; behind-the-scenes and cast interviews; and the "Music Moondance Alexander" featurette.
