Loses the Race by a nose!

Rating: 7/10 (27 July 2003)

Many have hailed this film as one of the best of the year. Though it may well be, that is a sad comment on the films this year. The fact is that many directors seem to be afraid to let their films fly, and apparently Gary Ross is no different. There is no doubt that this is a technically superior film (and it is a pleasure to watch Chris Cooper, Jeff Bridges and Tobey Maguire do what apparently comes naturally to them). But what differentiates a good film from a great film is that those involved with the great film show confidence while those involved with a good film hedge their bets at the last second. This is a film that screams "let me fly", but Mr. Ross simply will not let it. He holds back right at the moments where the audience wants him to let his film loose.
Those involved with the real horse showed the confidence necessary to win. It is unfortunate that those involved behind the cameras on this project did not learn that important lesson.