Saying "It's alright" is akin to being the one to shoot Old Yeller

Rating: 6/10 (30 July 2003)

I don't read non-fiction too often, but after being handed Seabiscuit, I fell head-over-heels in love with the book. I still can't believe the craftsmanship of Laura Hillenbrand in telling this story. So going in to the movie, I was wary. But the previews choked me up and I thought the selections of the actors were dead-on (although Jeff Bridges resonated a little too close to his "Tucker" character.)
I don't want to come off sounding like one of those literary purists that say that Hollywood can't pull off adaptations, but Gary Ross let his ego get in the way of telling this story. He wanted to speak, instead of letting the material do the talking. It wasn't what he "left out" that I have a problem with, it was what he "added."
It was "the perfect story," already unbelievable, even by Hollywood standards and yet, Mr. Ross felt the need to dumb it down for us. He didn't trust the American movie-going public, he didn't trust the material and I'm guessing, he didn't trust himself.