A movie that adds hope and courage

Rating: 10/10 (12 August 2004)

Seabiscuit is the kind of movie that indulges you to believe that no matter how bad the odds are in life, you can always get back on your feet and succeed. One of the best pictures of 2003, is also one of the best American movies ever made. The film takes place in the days of the depression era where money was lost, lives were changed and hope was lost. Jeff Bridges plays Charles Howard, a once bicycle salesman that can change alternaters in cars to run smoothly deals with the lost of his money,the death of his son in a car accident and the divorce of his wife. Tobey Maguire plays Red Pollard, a once smart boy that loved to read until the day his family gave him away to another family in order to stay alive. He is a jockey riding for cash and loses everytime. He boxes, and tells cockeyed stories to fellow Jockeys including George Wolfe played by Gary Stevens. Chris Cooper plays Tom Smith, a trainer who actually understands horses and is befriended by Charles Howard in one scene. What brings these three men together is a race track, and what no better way for gambling none other than horse-racing. The main star of the movie is the character's title, Seabiscuit, a horse that was abused by many of its owners and with the aid of Tom Smith, Seabiscuit is able to compete in many competitions with Red Pollard riding as they lead to many victories. I was touched in many scenes that these characters cared about each other and that Charles who was once down and out is back on his knees and considers Pollard as a son and Tom a partner. Seabiscuit also stars Elizabeth Banks as Marcela Howard and William H. Macy as Tick Tock McColguin a fast talking radio D.J. that gives updates about the race events. I know that many fellow users at IMDB considers this film a patriot movie, but it is not about the American flag, but about hope and the courage to stand up to what people once believed in.