MovieChat Forums > Ruffian (2007) Discussion > William Nack character ruins movie

William Nack character ruins movie

posted 16 years ago by beatles0001
5 replies | jump to latest

Sam Shepard had an amazing performance and this could have been a great movie but William Nack's character ruined this movie. He constantly made himself the "star" of this film. The scene where he was almost trampled by Foolish Pleasure in the match race was a joke. Also, why did they have to use Male horses as the lead for Ruffian. You could see their privates in nearly every scene. And Ruffian was one of the most beautiful horses ever. They used average looking horses. We needed to connect more with her and her beauty and magestry.

[–] Falcon6300 16 years ago

Agreed! I heard he even took lines away from another actor in shots where he didn't feel he had enough camera time. He wasn't challenged on this by the director.

Sam was fantastic.

[–] imdb-7624 16 years ago

I personally liked Bill Nack's character, I thought it was a very interesting idea to have him narrate the movie, it was almost like he was reading the article about her life. Oh and by the way, though I think how they portrayed it was dumb, in the interview in the special features Bill Nack talks about almost being hit by Foolish Pleasure. I don't think it happened like they showed it, but it did happen. And in regards to the horse being male, movies using geldings to portray female horses is very common. I think its because geldings are more mild tempered, easier to work with and more predictable. A male horse played Sonya in Dreamer by the way.

It wasn't the best horse racing movie I've seen but still very good. I was very impressed with how accurate it was.

[–] narflambers 15 years ago

Hah, I thought he was a little obnoxious.. I thought Sam was very good though. And yeah, the scene where he runs into the track while Pleasure comes by was a little distracting and took the focus off of Ruffian's importance. Bothered me a lot, that part actually.

[–] buyorsell888 14 years ago

I've read many posts by people on horse racing boards who were there that day and they've all said he grossly embellished his part of Ruffian's story. Of course, he is a writer by trade.

[–] starlion3 12 years ago

I'm surprised that Nack's near accident actually happened.. damn fool..