Secretariat

I liked “Seabiscuit” but “Secretariat” was better. I feel that it fits nicely with the other “underdog, feel good” Disney films from the last decade that all started with “Remember the Titans”. While I feel that this true story was advertized as more unbelievable that it actually was or is on screen, the racing career of Big Red needed to be made into a movie. I am glad that Disney oversaw the project. I have known about the career of director Randall Wallace ever since he wrote his first movie and I like his work. The script was well done and it stayed true to the original story. The actors did well and I think people should see this movie while it is in theaters. I think that most people however would be happier seeing it at the cheaper theaters.

Randall Wallace’s script for “Braveheart” is one of my favorites and I like “Pearl Harbor” also. His other movie “The Man in the Iron Mask” is also very entertaining for me. Wallace did a great job making this film in that he used all the classic ways to create intensity and suspense. The lack of sound before the Kentucky Derby is a good example of this. I like the scene when Secretariat is born because the foal bumps into the camera. Normally, the filmmakers would have kept this shot out of the movie because it breaks the fourth wall; we become aware of the camera. I believe they put it in the final cut because it creates an emotional response for the audience. It is cute. You tend to see this tactic in a lot of Randall films. In “Braveheart” blood gets on the camera lens and in “Pearl Harbor”, the camera gets “hit” by bullets. I like how the Preakness race is shown through the eyes of the Tweedy family as they watch it on TV in Colorado. This creates variety in the film and also helps with character development. The movie does a good job in establishing Penny as the typical housewife. “Secretariat” also has the common story of the protagonist being constantly ridiculed by others. Even those closest to Penny doubt her. The Ball is a wonderful moment where conflicts are resolved as everyone acknowledges that Penny was right. In the true story, Penny’s father participated in the coin toss with Phipps. I like how in the movie Penny is there in her father’s stead because there needs to be an established relationship between her and Phipps. A common problem when trying to adapt a true story into a movie is that some important moments towards the end of the story tend to be less dramatic than others earlier in the story. A movie however must always build towards a climax. Examples of this are in “Miracle”. In real life, the second period in the hockey game against the Soviets was not as dramatic as the first or third periods. Also the “Miracle on Ice” was a semi-final game. In the case of the story of Secretariat, the final race at Belmont Stakes is no competition. The filmmakers had to make it more dramatic and they did this throughout the film. We are informed that Ronny the jockey once burst a horse’s heart because he pushed it too much. Also, Secretariat in every race comes from behind to win. In the portrayal of the final race, we are reminded of these facts and we also know that the distance of the track is longer than others. Another story moment used to create suspense is when Lucien expresses concern about his decision to give the horse lots of training on the track. When the race starts, Secretariat & Sham battle for lead position right at the start and everyone is concerned that Secretariat will tire. In real life, Sham tired towards the end of the race but in the movie they don’t acknowledge this. Instead, Secretariat is portrayed as beating a determined Sham who doesn’t fatigue. Despite these slight changes to the story, I think it is a lot better than changing the ending completely. I love lines from Pancho, “That’s impossible”, and Lucien when he hopes that Ronny won’t fall off the horse. I liked Diane Lane’s performance; especially the scene after every known investor turns down her offer. I could feel passion, as she explains how she won’t give up. John Malkovich was good although the French Canadian accent would disappear sometimes. James Cromwell’s persona makes him a good choice to portray that richest man in America at the time. Nestor Serrano did a great job as Pancho Martin. He portrayed pride and also frustration quite well. I applaud the character as a braggart antagonist to Penny. You did not like him. Nelsan Ellis has a great moment as Eddie when he shouts in the empty track at the Kentucky Derby.

At the moment, this movie is one of my top ten favorite sports films. It follows the classic rules of the genre. It a good adaptation of the true story even though I would not call it an “impossible true story”. The actors were well chosen and did a good job in the portrayal of their characters. Randall Wallace did a nice job also. I feel that everyone needs to see this movie but not spend more than $10. As nice a movie as it is compared to the sleaze that comes out these days, I feel it would be just as powerful in any theater or on the TV screen.

3.5 Stars