20 Best Movies Of 2018 (So Far)

5. Lean On Pete

Lean On Pete Charlie Plummer
A24

Andrew Haigh's (Weekend, 45 Years) quietly devastating drama about a teenage drifter (a fantastic Charlie Plummer) bonding with an aged racehouse is a small film with a giant, beating heart.

Inherently bleak yet propped up by crucial, small glimmers of hope, Lean on Pete is an evocative character study and unique coming-of-age tale that will reward patient viewers willing to soak in Haigh's unfussed pacing.

There are no volcanic emotional outbursts or melodramatic moments, but the movie is no less heart-rending as a result: it just asks the viewer to do a little more of the leg-work. Terrific stuff if you're in the mood for a cry.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.