Trite, predictable, formulaic Hollywood schmaltz

Rating: Null/10 (21 February 2004)

I must confess up front that I'm not a horse racing fan. Personally, it has always seemed like a form of ritualized animal cruelty practiced for entertainment. Nor do I think much of any kind of professional sports.
But even if I were a racing fan, I'd still have to say that this is just another trite, predictable potboiler from the Hollywood schmaltz factory. Even though I knew nothing about the history of the real Seabiscuit, nothing in this movie came with the least bit of surprise or real suspense. Even Red Pollard's major accident was fully telegraphed well in advance; that sort of plot development is absolutely de rigeur in a movie like this! But I'm sure none of this kept a lot of people from crying over how wonderful it is.