REVIEW: ‘Taming Wild’ explores one horse’s wildness
Taming Wild, a thought-provoking and beautifully-shot documentary, follows a woman with a burning question: Would a wild horse naturally let her ride on him? The one asking the question is Elsa Sinclair, and the horse with the answer is Myrnah.
The relatively short documentary, which is now available on DVD and digital download, features some breathtaking cinematography of Sinclair’s mission and Myrnah’s journey. The two work together to the backdrop of American pastoral images of open ranges and grassy fields. She brushes him, hugs him, respects him and gives him distance — all the while keeping her goal of riding him in the back of her mind.
From the moment when she first connects with the horse to the ultimate answer of whether she’ll be able to ride him, the movie is a personal journey of dedication and love. It seems genuine when Sinclair says that she won’t pressure the animal; this would be a natural progression or no progression at all.
Most of the background of the story is learned through a staged interview with Sinclair. Her monologue is then used as a voiceover for the images of her and Myrnah working on her ranch. Her poetic musings add a lot of thoughtful considerations to the film, helping to define her challenge and place it in a larger context of domestication versus wildness.
There is potential to make the film longer, for sure. Some more exposition could be added to Myrnah’s days in the wild and what the life of a mustang is like in the United States. It’s no doubt that Sinclair’s journey is an engaging one, and one that keeps the audience’s interest, but perhaps some more information could be included on where these wild horses roam.
What’s amazing about Sinclair’s quest is that she only uses body language to bond with Myrnah. There are no tools or harnesses; her goal is to ride him without the usual trappings of the industry. She’s after a deeper, more natural experience, and it’s a thrill to see if Myrnah will follow suit.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Taming Wild (2015), written and directed by Elsa Sinclair, is currently available on DVD and digital download. Running time: 43 minutes Rating: 
