Secretariat (Buena Vista)
A Horse Story
Secretariat is the true story of the race horse which was owned by Penny Chenery that won the Triple Crown in the early seventies. This fine horse not only won all the awards, he did it in such a way that he created records which still stand today. The movie captures the excitement of these races and the dedication and trust his owner had in him. The story of Chenerys determination is front and center but the story of her personal life is hidden in the background.
Penny Chenery Tweedy (Diane Lane) was a housewife in the early seventies. Her father (Scott Glenn) had a horse farm. When he became ill Penny alternated her time between her family and the farm. She had a horse on the farm named Big Red and she felt that with the right trainer he could be a champion.
The trainer she selected was Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich). Lucien had his affectations but he knew horses through and through. She already had the perfect groom in Eddie Sweat (Nelsan Ellis) and when she added jockey Ronnie Turcotte (Otto Thorwarth) she knew she had the perfect team.
Her husband Jack (Dylan Walsh), of whom we see little in the film, was remotely supportive. Her main cheerleaders were her fathers secretary Miss Ham (Margo Martindale) and Bull Hancock (Fred Thompson), her fathers best friend.
The film details Pennys struggles to raise the money to keep the farm and to keep her horse. This was a time in our history when women were not accepted in the business of horse racing but Penny Chenery Tweedy broke through the barriers on the strength of her horse, which Miss Ham renamed Secretariat.
Lane is much the prim and practical Penny Chenery in the film. She totally looks the part of the nineteen seventies matron. The film does not require much of her in the acting department but what is required she delivers. Malkovich adds spice to the film as the unique Lucien. This role is extra enjoyable because it is not the typical Malkovich role. Martindale is endearing as Miss Hamm and Thompson is rugged and strong as Bull.
Not much is shown of the relationship between Penny and Jack, and that is a shame. They appear a non-couple but very little explanation is given. This might have been a place where Lane and Walsh could show their acting talent but it is basically ignored.
The film is rated PG for mild profanity.
Secretariat is a winner as far as family films go. Director Randall Wallace gives it excitement, heart and humor all presented in that wonderful Disney glow. What it doesnt have is a compelling personal story which could have been shown in the relationship between Penny and Jack. The loss of that personal insight makes the movie less than it could have been.
I scored Secretariat a race winning 6 out of 10.
