Defines the term:"Heartwarming".

Rating: 10/10 (27 December 2003)

SeaBiscuit lives up to all the hype and is so truly heartwarming I'd recommend it as a movie to see when you want a movie to watch where you will be rest assured of being in a good mood when you get done watching. It's the feel good movie of the year and with good reason-the story is a beautiful and Enriching one and true as well. Were it NOT a true story I still think it would be a good movie but not to the extent it is.
I imagine many of the people reading this have already seen it. I have read some of the reviews and most have been good but there were a few negative-some people said this was to "Hollywood". I don't agree for the simple reason that this story is based in reality. It happened. No. maybe the real life events were not EXACTLY as they were on screen, maybe certain things were given a bit more-(sugarcoating) and that is precisely why I said if this were not a true story I could imagine it being called :intentionally sappy etc etc.
But the bottom line is the plot IS based in reality and :WARNING SPOILERS COMING UP NOW!
The fact is that this ended on a good note because thats how the real story ended-unless there is something I don't know. Hollywood makes many movies about real life events that DON'T have happy endings-because they didn't in real life. This one had a happy ending because that's how the story of Sea Biscuit played out in reality. It pulls at your heartstrings but so what-the story IS incredible and is a great great story to make into a movie. And it is so easy to love Sea Biscuit, that tough little horse that changed so many lives and gave inspiration and hope. In addition the cinematography was lush and lovely and I was amazed by how real the horse racing sequences were, and how incredibly they were filmed. I never had an interest before in Horse Racing but the film pulls you in with it and gets you excited-the ending is one of the most richly satisfying I've ever seen, due a lot to the truth behind it and I don't think the ending was as Hollywood as people say-there was no racing to the finish line and hugs all around as people raced out of their seats and the news was swept all over the radio... etc etc etc. The camera just sort of fades out-with the audience knowing how it turns out. That was well done and CLASSY.
The acting was wonderful as well, especially Toby Mguire who really SHOULD get an academy award nomination for this. The beginning does drag a bit, Sea Biscuit doesn't even make his first appearance until about 45-60 minutes into the film-stay with it! You won't be sorry you did.
The best scenes, other then The horse racing of coarse were the scenes of bonding between Sea Biscuit and Toby Mguire. Everyone has hurdles in life and everyone gets banged around a bit by the quirks of fate. Sometimes, hope and inspiration are found in unusual and wonderful places. And that is what makes the story of Sea Biscuit so wonderful.