Secretariat, a family-friendly Disney film about the heroic horse, complements its famous kin Seabiscuit (2003) with insights into thoroughbred racing and a woman's right to excel in business and family ventures.
Director Randall Wallace succeeds with a fresh, exciting retelling of history. The action centers on Secretariat and his owner Penny Chenery Tweedy (Diane Lane), who battle reluctant family members and 1970’s attitudes toward women with fierce competitiveness.
Secretariat became the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years. Racing officials considered several names for the majestic horse, finally choosing one that suggests a supportive, administrative role.
Penny rouses great inner strength and conviction in a new career as Secretariat's manager. Although she's away from her family in Denver for weeks at a time, she stays in touch and finds ways to be a good mom. This was an unusual decision for a well-to-do wife and mother in the 1970's.
Penny's husband Jack (Dylan Walsh) argues that they should take the sensible route by selling her father's horse stables. Penny fights to resurrect the former glory - and profitability - of the enterprise. It all depends on one fiery, promising horse.
John Malkovich delivers one of his funnier performances without sacrificing depth. As Lucien Lauren, he plays a reluctant horse trainer whose flamboyant dress reveals an avant garde soul. Lauren's smart-alecky barbs refresh the idealized Disney formula.
The aristocratic culture of championship horse racing is brought to life by Scott Glenn as the ailing Chenery monarch. Fred Dalton Thompson and James Cromwell play sparring entrepreneurs who match wits with Penny.
Secretariat astounds in many exciting racing scenes. Meanwhile anti-war protests rage. Fans of all ages flock to see his victories, which culminate in the Triple Crown (the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes).
Breeding is key to reviving the Chenery family’s past success and immortalizing a true champion, Penny realizes. She decides to sell shares in the horse, who will sire in the future.
The unifying power of sports becomes evident, as it did in Seabiscuit and the more recent Invictus (2009). Christian undertones are evident in the film.
Otto Thorwarth plays Secretariat's jockey Ronnie Turcotte. Also memorable are Margo Martindale as the Chenery’s wry assistant Miss Ham, and Nelsan Ellis as devoted groom Eddie Sweat.
Wallace succeeds with concise script and screenplay. A few too many hippie scenes with Penny’s daughter (AJ Michalka), and some overly poignant violin music, mar Secretariat’s dramatic tension.
Seabiscuit, an atmospheric sports drama set in the Great Depression, runs well over two hours and dwells on the fate of his jockey Red Pollard (smoldering Tobey McGuire, who also executive produced). Seabiscuit’s lush production values are complemented by Secretariat’s fine cinematography and editing.
If you like Secretariat, you might enjoy: The Blind Side; Win Win.
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Secretariat 2010 / PG / 1 hour, 55 min
Cast Overview: Diane Lane, John Malkovich, Dylan Walsh, Dylan Baker, Margo Martindale, Nelsan Ellis, Otto Thorwarth, Fred Dalton Thompson, James Cromwell, Scott Glenn, Ron Turcotte, AJ Michalka
Director: Randall Wallace
Genres: Drama, History, Sports, Drama Based on a True Story
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