An aging jockey (Clifton Collins Jr.), hopes to win one last title for his longtime trainer (Molly Parker), who has acquired what appears to be a championship horse. But the years – and injuries – have taken a toll on his body, throwing into question his ability to continue his lifelong passion. And the arrival of a young rookie rider (Moises Arias), who claims to be his son, and whom he takes under his wing, further complicates the path to fulfilling his dream.
Instilled with an immediately engaging realism by filmmakers Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar, JOCKEY takes audiences inside the “backside” of racetrack life in a way no other film has. Filmed at a live racetrack in Arizona, and featuring real jockeys, JOCKEY reveals the true rider experience – real life, behind the track.
For in-depth thoughts on Jockey, please see my colleague Dom Fisher’s review from its original theatrical release here.
For additional insights into the film, please see my colleague Larry Fried’s interview with filmmaker Clint Bentley here.
Video Quality
Jockey comes to Blu-Ray in an AVC encoded transfer in 2.39:1 courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment featuring some stunning cinematography from Adolpho Veloso. This presentation is quite striking and offers a stable image quality throughout. The almost documentary feel of the film translates well aesthetically with most shots looking simply breathtaking. Bentley captures some awe-inspiring landscapes that really pop in high definition. Not only do the textural details render cleanly, but the lush greenery leaps off the screen and the dusty landscapes really sell the story. There is no evidence of compression artifacts or other digital nuisances of the sort. Skin tones look natural throughout the runtime. I do not see how this set could have been improved visually without a 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc. It’s a real stunner as is.
Audio Quality
The Blu-Ray disc comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that conjures a very specific mood that transports you to this unique lifestyle. This is a very subdued film, but the track does come alive with the environmental sounds. The wonderful score from Aaron and Bryce Dessner is showcased beautifully here with a gently enveloping use of the surround speakers. The dialogue comes through crystal clear without ever being overpowered by the environmental effects or the score. The sound design is just as precisely thought-out as the on screen visuals with all of the sounds positioned just right in the mix. The environmental effects create a really nice soundscape of brisk wind and noises from racetracks. This is not an action-heavy film, so the activity in the low end is very sparse. This is a lovely sounding release that brings the movie to life in a really splendid way.
Special Features
- Deleted Scenes: Three scenes of unused material totaling six minutes is provided here featuring a scene of a jockey relaying a horrific medical experience, Jackson speaking to his agent, and Jackson telling a story of an old friend to a fellow jockey.
- Theatrical Trailer: The two-minute trailer is provided here.
Final Thoughts
Jockey is achingly beautiful portrait of a man coming to terms with his life and legacy. Clifton Collins Jr. gets the juicy starring role he has always deserved, delivering a turn equal parts endearing and heartbreaking. The remainder of the ensemble match him beat for beat, especially Molly Parker who nearly steals the film away from Collins. This film feels far from a feature directorial debut, as Clint Bentley confidently constructs a world which feels lived-in and vast. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released a Blu-Ray with a stellar A/V presentation but next to no special features. If you appreciate an emotionally powerful, intimate independent drama, Jockey will be one of your favorite films of the year. Highly Recommended
Jockey is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
