A well told tale

Rating: 8/10 (19 August 2003)

Seabiscuit is the true story of how a small, crook-legged thoroughbred became a champion and one of the fastest horses ever to run a track. It is also the story of how this horse brought healing into the lives of three stricken men and became an inspiration for Depression struck '30s America. Sounds a bit gooey, doesn't it? I mean, just add Shirley Temple and you'd have a movie capable of tripling the national glucose level. Don't let the description scare you. This is an excellent movie that won't rot your teeth.
One of the strengths of Seabiscuit has been criticized as its main flaw. The film is paced at an amiable ramble rather than a gallop. It takes its time, gives each character a leisurely introduction and lets the viewer soak in the depression era period. The movie trusts that its story is strong enough to hold the viewer's attention. It must be said, however, that if you don't think the adventures of a loveable car salesman, a crusty horse-loving bum and a half blind kid entertaining you might find the first hour or so before the introduction of Seabiscuit rough sledding. Look at it this way, while the set-up might seem long and slow, when you get to the racing sequences you get a huge payoff for your investment. Not only do you have the thrill of watching Seabiscuit's rush to glory, because the movie takes its time in introducing you to the protagonists and milieu you appreciate what the horse's success meant to these men and the country.
The only criticism I have of Seabiscuit is that it feels remote at times. It takes a reserved, glossy approach to the subject matter. The 1930s come across as a beautiful museum exhibit with everything lacquered to the highest possible sheen. As much as I loved the look I couldn't help wondering if the actual thirties horse track atmosphere weren't a bit more ragged around the edges.
The acting is somewhat of a mixed bag. Jeff Bridges plays Charles Howard, a man who achieves all he could wish for and then experiences the worse of personal tragedies. It is he who buys the unpromising colt and gives him the chance to succeed. While Bridges has played the go-getting businessman before he doesn't bring much depth to his character this time around. He has the car salesman side down pat but stumbles when suggesting Howard's emotional scars. Likewise Tobey Maguire, playing Seabiscuit's hard-knock jockey Red Pollard, doesn't begin to embody the scrappy youth Pollard must have been. Like most of his generation of actors Maguire is better at summoning emotional moments than building a character. While we buy him as an emotionally damaged yet determined young man it is very hard to accept him as a jockey. While both Bridges and Maguire are likeable in their roles they rarely seem more than the movie stars they are. Not so Chris Cooper. Cooper plays horse trainer Tom Smith, the strange loner who brings out the champion in Seabiscuit. Cooper is fantastic. You'd swear he'd wandered onto the set after spending a lifetime riding the high plains with only horses for company.
As undeniably fun as explosions, car chases and shootouts are, there is something about seeing a movie that actually boasts characters and a plot. Seabiscuit tells a fascinating story that truly earns its emotional moments.