A racetrack Rocky

Rating: 8/10 (2 October 2009)

This movie is based on a true story-and an incredible one at that .It tells how an undersized ,often reluctant horse become a major prizewinner by outracing stallions who in physical appearance made him look like an undersized donkey .Its a classic story of the underdog overcoming all odds and triumphing and its all the more heartwarming by virtue of the setting -depression era America when peoples needed all the hope they could get . Yet there is more to this movie than simple histrionics and emotional rabble rousing .The race scenes are ,to be sure ,exhilirating ,but the movie all never loses sight of the human dimension .The movie takes time to explore the trio of very different people who combined to turn the unpromising nag into a champion .There's the automobile entrepreneur , Charles Howard ( Jeff Bridges)providing the cash and training facilities ,the ovesized prizefighting jockey who races despite severe visual impairment ( Tobey Maguire),and the trainer -healer of the horse ,Tom Smith ( Chris Cooper)who believes the animal has enough iron in his soul to overcome all obstacles and become a winner .Together they are a family ;sharing screen time with the horse they make Seabiscuit a movie about friendship and family ;about love and loss and redemption ;about belief putting doubt to the sword . Brilliantly acted by all parties -with a special mention for William Macy as a racing commentator- and ravishingly photographed this is a winning movie thoroughly deserving of its financial success and Oscar nominations .The tension is adriot;ly built as the movie movie towards its climax -the race between Seabiscuit and the triple Crow winning colossus from the East ,"War Admiral "We are put right in the thick of the action ,so close we almlost smell the sweat and turf . Part sports movie ,part historical epic ,part allegory and part family movie this is all tension and edge of seat drama . It is perhaps a tad overlong and some will find it sentimental where I find it moving . I thoroughly enjoyed it and suspect most people will too