Lean on Pete

Charley Thompson, a 15-year-old, begins his day with a jog near a racetrack in Portland, Oregon. Recently relocated with his troubled father, Ray, Charley seeks a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos in their lives.

During his jog, Charley encounters Del, the grumpy owner of a racehorse named Lean On Pete. Charley takes on a job caring for the horse, despite the hard labor imposed by Del, and they start to bond through shared experiences.

As Charley develops a rapport with Del, he begins to open up about his family issues, including the absence of his birth mother and the obstacles in visiting his Aunt Margy, his only maternal figure. This moment deepens their bond and reveals Charley's sense of loss.

Charley's life takes a dark turn when a Samoan man invades their home, attacking Ray over an affair. Ray suffers serious injuries, facing life-threatening glass lacerations that lead them to the hospital for urgent care.

After a hospital visit, Ray is diagnosed with a grave septic infection. In a vulnerable moment, he encourages Charley to pursue the job with Del, despite his son's desire to stay and care for him during his recovery.

In a twist of fate, Del’s best jockey, Bonnie, rides Lean On Pete to a thrilling victory at a race. However, it soon becomes clear that due to Pete's age, he is at risk of being sold for slaughter, creating a sense of impending doom.

Charley's world collapses when he returns home to find out about Ray's death. Heartbroken and alone, he clings to his father's belt, symbolizing his loss as he flees before Social Services can intervene.

As Charley quickly learns that Lean On Pete has lost a race and is to be sold, he confronts Del and Bonnie for help. When they dismiss him, Charley becomes determined to save the horse, leading him to make a reckless decision.

In a desperate move, Charley steals Del's truck and takes Lean On Pete on a journey towards Wyoming, hoping to find Aunt Margy. This decision marks a turning point in his life, driving him further into uncertainty and danger.

Facing the harsh realities of life on the road, Charley runs out of money and resorts to siphoning gas and dining-and-dashing. Their situation becomes increasingly precarious as they navigate the unforgiving desert together.

Charley and Pete encounter two Army veterans, Mike and Dallas, who offer them food and shelter. Despite their kindness, Charley feels uneasy and chooses to leave under the cover of darkness, revealing his distrust.

The next morning, a devastating accident occurs when Lean On Pete is startled by motorcycles and is tragically hit by a car. Charley is plunged into deep grief, both for his beloved horse and the chaotic events of his journey.

After the accident, police arrive at the scene, prompting Charley to evade them and continue on his journey alone. The loss of Pete weighs heavily on him, marking a significant low point in his young life.

Charley breaks into a house in search of water and a place to clean himself. Eventually, he finds temporary refuge with a struggling couple, Silver and Martha, but their relationship quickly turns sour due to rising tensions.

After an altercation with Silver, Charley hops a bus to Laramie, Wyoming, where he finds his Aunt Margy. In her comforting presence, he opens up about his harrowing journey, allowing himself to grieve for both Pete and Ray.