Impressive, but not all that outstanding

Rating: Null/10 (15 March 2004)

I'm surprised to see that this hit from the summer was able to make it to the Best Picture nominees. More of a great epic than a great movie. But the biggest surprise was that it was released in the summer and actually made it.
I've said before back in the summertime that it was a very good story of an against-all-odds claim to greatness as well it was nice to see it as a slice of American history as well. The script was very good, but there were a few times in which I felt it was too much more like a biography than a movie. I have no problem with story telling or narration in a movie as long as it's given just the right amount. And this one I felt there was more than necessary at times. Nevertheless it was still entertaining and thrilling. The camera angles of some shots added to it and put you into the race. The acting was very good although nothing was too standout-ish.

One thing about this movie. Critics in entertainment normally trash escapist stuff or 'escapist froth': whether it be music, movies or television. But one thing this movie teaches is the value of escapism through this horse. Seabiscuit came around the time of the depression and almost all of America was down and out. But once Seabiscuit won and won big America came back to life. It's ridiculous to say the horse ended the depression but he did make people forget their problems and gave them something to cheer for. Sometimes a little pick-me-up is all people need. And escapism has been known to work, like in the late-70's disco music and Star Wars helped pick a disheartened America up after the Watergate scandal and the heartbreak of Vietnam. Whether a pick-me-up situation like this would work now, I'm a bit skeptical but it is possible.
I'll admit that there were times the movie was a little too feelgood-ish but it was still well-done. And goes to show how a little sentimentality can go a long way.