Disney's new movie, Secretariat, has managed to exceed all expectations. Open to the general public starting Oct. 8, Secretariat is based on a remarkable true story that chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner.
Big Red, or under the stage name Secretariat, is the underdog horse that is nurtured to greatness. This breathtakingly beautiful, red stallion, played by five different horses in the movie, has set records that still stand today, almost 37 years later. Secretariat has undoubtedly become one of the greatest, if not the greatest, racehorses of all time.
However, even though the name and story of Secretariat is well known, owed to the past 37 years of spoilers, the film manages to bring an electric, dramatic tension that will have the audiences anxiously wringing their hands during races, and ushering sighs of relief as their favorite horse makes it to the finish line.
The credit goes to director Randall Wallace for his portrayal of the race scenes, which are excruciatingly exciting. Shot from all kinds of clever and astonishing angles, with thrilling noises, beats and thrums, they leave an indelible, heart-pounding impression. As clods of earth fly up from Secretariat's hooves, they are some of the most exciting horse race scenes in cinema, perhaps even barring the Black Stallion, silent and sound.
This exhilarating and uniquely well-crafted film stars Diane Lane as Secretariat's owner, Penny Chenery, and John Malkovich as the colorful trainer, Lucien Lauren. Lane steps into the shoes of housewife Penny, who surprises the male-dominated world of horse breeding and racing at a time when women were just beginning to liberate themselves from socially mandated domestic roles. She takes on the big shots, knowing much too well that she is in a foreign territory, but soon enough has them dancing to her tune. This was an international headline grabber in 1973.
Supporting performances from Dylan Walsh (Jack Tweedy), Dylan Baker (Hollis Chenery), Margo Martindale (Miss Ham), Nelsan Ellis (Eddie Sweat), Otto Thorwarth (Ronnie Turcotte), Fred Dalton Thompson (Bull Hancock), James Cromwell (Ogden Phillips) and Scott Glenn (Chris Chenery) serve the film's widely talented pedigree. All of these actors' commitment to their roles, and their on-screen chemistry helps enhance the story-telling aspect of the movie.
The purpose of the movie is not to surprise audiences with its glorious twists, but to tell a story that will engage viewers in spite of the famously spoiled resolution. This most famous legend of horse races sticks to Disney's gospel that life means following your dreams. This movie is for anyone who is a fan of heartwarming stories, thrillers about the underdog and true stories that come to life on the big screen.
As a young girl, Penny's father told her "It doesn't matter whether they think we won. It is whether we think we won. You run your race now, Penny." And so she does; she rises and she conquers; she wins, and not only in her own eyes, but in the eyes of all who worship this great sport of kings with her legendary, still to be defeated, red stallion.