Based on the remarkable true story, "Secretariat" chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. Housewife and mother Penny Chenery Tweedy agrees to take over her ailing father's Virginia based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horse-racing experience. Against all odds, with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin, she manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and what may be the greatest racehorse of all time. Secretariat is not a documentary so purists need not balk at the creative liberties taken by the film. Still those who remember this great horse will not find many factual discrepancies in the film that ruin the story.
The movie is toughing, moving, inspirational, and a whole lot of fun. Diane Lane and John Malkovich are excellent in their roles. The acting was superb and the storyline suspenseful even though we know how the whole thing turns out. I highly recommend Secretariat to anyone who is tired of the usual fare of sophomoric humor, sexual innuendo, or car chases to get you into the theater.
Rated PG for mild brief language this movie I give it 5 stars for family friendliness. Can't say that about many of them out there. Go and enjoy. If you're already seen it, let me know what you thought.
6 comments:
Teresa,
Loved you review. I haven't seen the movie yet, but it's one we have been wanting to see. Your review makes me want to see it even more.
Love,
Molly
I remember Secretariat. My thesis professor followed him religiously and called him a "super horse." He always sounded to me like a super intelligent horse who knew exactly what they wanted him to do and did it.
We saw Secretariat tonight, and though there weren't many surprises, it was great. The woman who sat next to us at the movie theater said she was seeing it for the second time. It's a "feel good" kind of a movie you want to see more than once. Maybe I'll buy the DVD when it's available for home viewing.
Love,
Molly
The movie sounds interesting. I'll need to keep this one in mind. It must be good if that woman in the theater was seeing it for the second time.
If you want to understand "The Moral Premise" (Williams), which my agent Natasha insisted I read, and which has me rethinking my work, watch Secretariat!
On the surface, it's a "simple" film.
Yeah, right.
There's the 60s tension re a woman's place--house or "office" (albeit this "office" is a horse-breeding farm.)
There's the usual human vices of arrogance, $$, pride, love of winning--wait! Is that a vice?
See what I mean.
You know what I realized AFTER the film? The most profane word? Butt. Uttered...once.
NO sex. I mean...zip.
The Book of Job is quoted.
Did I mention great dialogue, fabulous cinematography, solid acting, stirring music?
Yeah.
And I'm not even a super horse type person.
There's takeaway value to ponder, entertainment, and I agree with Molly about feeling good.
But I also thought about the sacrifices the heroine made to "win," the lure of horse racing and its seamier sides.
Okay. I'll stop now.
Enjoy Secretariat!!!
Wow, Patti! You make the movie sound so deep, and full of entertainment value and it seems like a good, wholesome flick! I'll really need to keep this in mind after reading your comment!
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