Best Picture my...eye

Rating: 5/10 (2 February 2004)

Zetes' Dictionary defines `mediocrity' as the 2003 Best Picture nominee Seabiscuit, directed by Gary Ross. It's watchable, but it's a weak, uninteresting story that is poorly plotted and has a low success rate at tying said story into its historical context, as hard as it tries. I can take films about underdogs once in a while, providing that they're well done, but Seabiscuit wins, what, a quarter of the way through the movie and then its rich sponsor (played by Jeff Bridges) pesters the even richer owner of the Triple Crown winner War Admiral until he finally gives in, lest he be annoyed any further. The only actors who do anything nearing a decent job are Tobey Maguire as Seabiscuit's down-and-out jockey and William H. Macy, who plays a radio sports broadcaster. Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, and that other uninteresting lady sleepwalk through the film. The film does boast some fine cinematography. 5/10.