This is a story of how dreams can become realities to achieve success.

Rating: Null/10 (18 March 2004)

Director Gary Ross gives an excellent account of a movie based on a true story as narrated by David McCullough, about how a small mistreated horse was instrumental in bringing together the rebirth of spirit and future in the lives of three men. This small, under-dogged horse who became world famous is named Seabiscuit and is also the title of this amazing film. Seabiscuit is a story of how negatives can be turned into positives to give a bright outlook for the future showing that the sky is the limit in becoming successful for anyone achieving a dream. The setting of Seabiscuit takes place during the 1930's Depression era narrated by McCullough who speaks of the changing times from bicycles advancing to the successes of the automobile. The story evolves around the lives of three men existing from different backgrounds who suffer set-backs on their road towards success as a result of the Depression and how their deflated dreams have become successful realities. Jeff Bridges (Charles Howard) is an individual with a vivid imaginative dream for the future who desires to turn his dreams into success. In spite of the tragic death of his young son in a truck accident he has become a self-made prominent businessman selling automobiles and a horse-owner. Tobey Maguire (Red Pollard) suffered tragedy after his family lost everything during the depression, resulting in the separation from his family at an early age to pursue life on his own. His dream to become successful as a horse jockey leads him on a rocky road of misadventures to finally recapture the spirit of life. Chris Cooper (Tom Smith) unlike Bridges and Maguire did not loose very much of material items during the depression, but felt a loss of freedom and detachment from society. This is evident in the scene showing a close-up shot of Cooper's hand touching the barbed wire fencing that conveys the separation of land by no trespassing. However, in spite of his feelings, he maintains the gift as a horse whisperer (the taming of horses), and a keen eye for training to recapture the lives of castaway horses. His travels lead him to work as a horse trainer for Bridges and to train Seabiscuit and Maguire the jockey to become one of the most successful teams on the race horse circuit across America. The men equally come together through the bond of their horse Seabiscuit and share the new found joys of life successes with their champion horse. Understanding the negatives that life has dealt allowed the men to focus on the positives and to feel that success is derived out of fulfilling the spirit of dreams and to show compassion for mankind. The message and the joyous feelings of success are shown in another scene with Bridges attending a news media conference to promote Seabiscuit. Bridges states `He is a little guy, but he just doesn't know it. He thinks he is larger than life'. This not only refers to the success of Seabiscuit winning races, but also to himself, Maguire, and Cooper as they individually achieve their dreams of success for their futures. The horse trainer Cooper brought forth calmness in executing his talent to train unruly, wild, and castaway horses just as in the movie The Horse Whisperer (1998) starring Robert Redford who also had the gift to calm and train horses for the betterment of humankind. Both of these actors played roles that connect humans with the nature of animals, namely horses requiring a special talent that goes above and beyond regular everyday expectancies. The director's usage of wide angle and close-up shots throughout the film while filming Maguire riding Seabiscuit during the horse race sequences were very alluring to give one the excitable feeling of being apart of the race. These shots also captured the expressive feelings of facial and body movements showing the energy of defeat and success. This also allowed the viewer to experience the energy of the highs and lows associated with the drive to win. Cinematographer John Schwartzman captured the essence of colors by dominating the scenes with reds, purples, and hues of browns to give a low contrast emphasizing depression, power, control, and wealth. The light variations in contrast were used to symbolize security, truth, and the joys of achievements after the win of a race - by horse or by humanity.
Seabiscuit was an excellent film that I would recommend for individuals and families to view. The wholesome feeling of compassion for your fellowman and the will to strive in spite of all odds makes one appreciate what life has to offer no matter how big or small. Director Ross executes a fantastic job at capturing actual and realistic events that occurred during the 1930's Depression without losing the focus of the film. Ross conveys the message that Americans, in spite of crippling odds can still unite together to form a bond of togetherness for the betterment of humankind that will allow one to achieve their dream of success for the future.