The Movie that could...

Rating: 10/10 (28 August 2003)

Gary Ross's "Sea Biscuit" is the best movie of the year, and moreover, it is simply a great movie. Written and directed by Gary Ross, based on a book by Laura Hillenbrand "Sea Biscuit" is a wonderfully woven fable-like tale that moves, touches, and inspires. What "Sea Biscuit" is about is greatness-- having heart. It is unmistakeably sentimental, and I love sentimental done well.
Jeff Bridges is solid as Charles Howard, a depression era millionaire, who becomes the owner of Sea Biscuit. Biscuit is a descendant of Man of War, but he never seemed to reach his potential. The horse is "a little banged up." And so is Howard (Bridges). He tragically lost a young son, and soon after is divorced from his wife. Howard slowly creates a new life. He marries a young wife, Marcela (a strong and beautiful Elizabeth Banks). After buying Sea Biscuit, he assembles a team of seemingly misfits around the horse. Chris Cooper is effective as the horse whisperer like trainer, Tom Smith. Tobey Maguire captures the spirit and charm of Red Pollard, the "too big" jockey for this small horse. Howard ends up challenging the best bred and trained horse of that era, in what was deemed the race of the century.
I initially wrote off seeing "Sea Biscuit"-- how interesting can a movie about a horse be? Then a dear friend, John, recommended that I see it, because he said that the movie is really about perfection versus greatness. Both live in the realm of excellence, but are distinct. And that definitely interested me. Perfection is like the horse Sea Biscuit races (I don't even remember the name). He is the biggest, the strongest, has the best genes and the best training. Red (Maguire) says that what makes Sea Biscuit great is that he has heart. Bridges say at a pivotal point in the movie, "You don't put someone 'down', just 'cause they're a little banged up." At some point throughout the entire movie, every one of these characters is down whether it is Red or Biscuit. And there is always someone to give them a hand up. Perhaps greatness lies in community and family, and perfection is a lonely pursuit. All the racing sequences are breathtaking. I was truly moved and touched during the final sequences of the movie. Yes, I was cheering. "Sea Biscuit" is truly great-- It has heart.