“Hidalgo” (Touchstone Pictures)
Viggo Mortensen gallops on to the screen in the action packed “Hidalgo.” You can also call this movie “Lord of the Race” for it shows Mortensen’s appeal in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy was not a fluke. He is an actor with charm and charisma to spare. The film itself is a cross between “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Seabiscuit,” and “Lawrence of Arabia” with all the best aspects of those films.
The movie which is set in 1890, starts slow by developing the background of the unique individual known as Frank Hopkins (Mortensen). Hopkins is a performer in the “Buffalo Bill Wild West Show” and is known as an accomplished horseman. His mustang horse, Hidalgo, is as talented as his rider.
One day Hopkins is contacted and offered a chance to participate in a three thousand-mile race across the Arabian Desert. The winner collects a huge purse but it is actually the thrill of the race that draws Hopkins to it. His host for the event is Sheikh Riyadh (Omar Sharif) and his contact with this “sheikh of sheikhs” puts his life in danger.
Once the movie gets going, it really gets going. It is one dangerous event after another and one breathtaking escape after another. Man and horse work together as a team to keep each other safe and to pursue the dream of winning.
Mortensen makes a wonderful hero in this film. He is soft-spoken, ruggedly masculine, handsome and powerful. And he accomplishes all this with ease and assurance. If Hollywood is looking for the next Harrison Ford, well Viggo is the man with the plan.
Sharif is also outstanding in this film. His crafty ways and arch humor perfectly compliment Mortensen’s performance. Sharif’s charm was on display in abundance in his earlier films such as “Funny Girl” and “Lawrence of Arabia.” It is nice to see that it is still intact.
The film is rated PG-13 for violence and profanity, neither of which is extreme.
If you like a rip-roaring and rousing adventure then this is the movie for you. It is somewhat predictable but exciting, and still has enough twists and surprises to keep you off balance.
There have been some questions raised as to how much of the Frank Hopkins legend is actually true. The movie states it is “based on a true story.” But true or not, it sure is fun and that is all that matters when I am enjoying a movie as much as I did this one.
I scored “Hidalgo” a racing 7 out of 10, and that score borders on 8-ness.
