If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

Eddie Burton (Casper Van Dien) is a troubled city guy from Queens. His mother is caring for his son while he's in prison. He gets into a fight. The superintendent wants to reform him. He hears about a horse farm from another prisoner and convinces her to send him on work duty. It's a retirement farm for race horses run by Jake Cotter (Graham Greene). He befriends newly-arrived, abandoned horse named Big Spender. He saves the abused horse from being euthanize with the same candy that its former jockey Mel Tennant (Tara Spencer-Nairn) used to give it.This Animal Planet film is sincere but lacks any drama or tension. Everything is telegraphed. The horse jumping is probably the only surprise. Casper plays the jerk with a golden heart for the horse inside his outer hardened shell. Tara is too big to be a jockey. Graham is the wise man. The production is weak but otherwise, there is nothing terribly wrong. It is a TV movie of the week for horse lovers.

This is one of the best films I've ever seen.I was flicking thru the channels at 6am and Big Spender was just starting on the Hall Mark channel (190 on SKY in the UK)... anywho... i stayed up from 6am till 8 just to watch it.IT WAS AMAZING, I love horses and the film was just brilliant.Casper Van Dian was great in it, as were the horses playing Big Spender.The injuries on the horses looked really real. lol (Duh... course they did) anywho Really good film, watch it with your family or on your own.... go buy it now!! Robert

I loved this movie!! It is a perfect movie to watch with family of all ages. I think Casper did a wonderful job in this movie working with the horses as well as making his role very believable. I especially enjoyed seeing him sing even if it was for a small part of the movie. :)

Got nothing to do on a Saturday afternoon before going out for the night then catch Big Spender.Casper Van Dien gives a subtle but powerful performance as the convict trying to make a new life for himself and son beyond prison through rehabilitating horses that people have given up on, just as many people have given up on him. Van Dien shows not only his strong acting talents but his skill with horses and that he is more than capable of carrying a tune when his character has to sing. You will have to watch the movie to find out why!A perfect film for all the family as it appeals to people of all ages and reinforces the message of being kind to animals, as well as people.