“Seabiscuit” (Universal Pictures)
“Seabiscuit” is the perfect way to wrap up our summer movie viewing. It is a film full of passion and promise; a story full of heroism and heart. It stars Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges and Chris Cooper as three men who became involved with a spindle-legged horse and road him to greatness. This is the movie you have been waiting for and it arrives without explosions, car chases, or special effects.
The story evolves slowly over the course of its two and a half hours running time. You meet Red Pollard (Maguire), Charles Howard (Bridges), and Tom Smith (Cooper) individually, and then see how they are drawn together over time to focus on a horse that everyone has counted out.
Charles Howard is the owner of the horse, Tom Smith is the trainer, and Red Pollard is the jockey. The setting of the story is in the early part of the twentieth century when the country was trying to come out from under the grips of the Depression. Many, many people needed a source of hope and a reason for taking a second chance on life. The horse named Seabiscuit became a focal point for millions of them and this source of hope in the future.
The movie does a magnificent job of showing how Seabiscuit’s triumphs and successes mirrored the beginning of recovery of the nation. It isn’t done in a preachy way but comes about through the natural flow of the story. You understand how Howard, Smith and Pollard all overcame personal tragedies in their lives to form a bond of cooperation to create the phenomenon that was Seabiscuit.
Maguire is great in his role as the young jockey who never gave up on the horse or on himself. There isn’t a trace of “Spiderman” anywhere in this role which shows Maguire’s career won’t be tied to that comic book hero forever.
Bridges gives a solid performance as the self made man Charles Howard. Looking more like his brother Beau than ever before, he is warm and touching as a man who was struck by tragedy but never forgot the lesson it taught him.
Chris Cooper turns in another solid performance as the trainer. He fills the man with a sense of knowledge about horses, and also gives him a gentle spirit whether working with animals or humans. This performance solidifies Cooper’s niche as one of Hollywood’s best character actors.
William H Macy is a standout as radio announcer “Tick Tock” McGlaughlin. He makes what could have been a caricature, a totally enjoyable and believable character. Elizabeth Banks also shines as Howard’s second wife and a true supporter of his dreams for Seabiscuit.
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity and violence.
“Seabiscuit” is a movie that looks like a labor of love for all involved. From John Schwartzman’s achingly beautiful photography to Randy Newman’s stirring score, every aspect of this film is pleasing to the mind, heart and eye.
“Seabiscuit” is the first award winning caliber film of the season and it is the first one out of the gate. With all it has going for it, it might just leave the rest of the upcoming contenders eating its dust.
I scored “Seabiscuit” a photo finishing 9 out of 10.
