Never thought horse racing would be so interesting

Rating: 8/10 (2 September 2003)

When the original trailer for Seabiscuit came out, I was extremely skeptical about this movie. But after watching it, one can appreciate the technical brilliance of the race sequences and the down-home feel the story brings. Forget the underdog connotations and what-not, for the real pleasure of the story was how it unfolded. From the effects of the Great Depression and the need for national stability, the force of an icon like Seabiscuit was quite interesting to see on the silver screen. Chris Cooper and Jeff Bridges were especially good in this film, making their opposing dynamics work with charm and realism. However, Tobey Maguire was especially good, putting on his game face for a movie that required one, not the opposite (like Spiderman). Watch the movie for the great race sequences, and enjoy the heart-felt simplicity of the story.