Getting Back in the Race

Rating: 8/10 (18 October 2009)

"A great American story from 'Academy Award'-nominated filmmaker Gary Ross, 'Seabiscuit' stars Tobey Maguire (as John "Red" Pollard), Jeff Bridges (as Charles Howard), and Chris Cooper (as Tom Smith). Based on the inspiring true story of three men - a jockey, a trainer and a businessman - and the undersized racehorse who took the entire nation on the ride of a lifetime. This breathtaking film achievement is," according to the DVD sleeve, a film you must see. Well, you probably could live and breathe without seeing "Seabiscuit", but everything they said about the film is true.
The film was nominated for seven 'Academy Awards', but won none; it was a very competitive year. Director Gary Ross' adaptation of Laura Hillenbrand's classic story, John Schwartzman's cinematography, and the film's sound are especially noteworthy. The cast is universally impressive, with Mr. Maguire, Mr. Bridges, and Mr. Cooper deserving a triple crown. The "look" of the film - costumes and sets - is perfect; but, as is often the case, everything is so well taken care of, it tends to have an opposite, inauthentic effect. So, don't look for any stained hats, or cigarette-burned lampshades.
The story beautifully captures the "American Dream", from the obvious symbolism connecting "Seabiscuit" to the rebirth of the United States under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, to the thinnest of subtleties discernible in the characters' relationships. Mr. Ross knows when to fill in the blanks, and when to let you read between the lines. Prepare to be clichéd and sidetracked. It's all there. A son who is aimed for the moon dies in an automobile wreck, and is reborn on a horse. The struggle was real. The lame horse, crippled jockey, paraplegic president, and back-broken country came together, and beat the odds.
******** Seabiscuit (7/22/03) Gary Ross ~ Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, Gary Stevens