The biographical drama starring Diane Lane, Scott Glenn and John Malkovich follows a mother who successfully navigates her way through the male-dominated world of horse racing.
Just how much you enjoy Secretariat, Disney's glossy-coated biopic of the celebrated racehorse, depends in large part on how much you know of his career. If you know zilch, you'll be thrilled.
The race scenes are impressively kinetic as Wallace uses slow-motion shots, low camera angles and archived footage to imbue the races with excitement, but it's not enough to lift this Hallmark snooze-fest.
My advice: If you're looking for a nostalgic, inspirational horse-race biopic that doesn't isolate itself completely from economic, historical, and racial reality, go rent Seabiscuit.
Secretariat earns its best accolades for asking even larger questions as it highlights the story not just of a terrific horse but of his greatest champion, owner Penny Chenery, portrayed with grace, edge and a growing sense of self by Diane Lane.
What Culture
February 01, 2011
Secretariat is cliched, unrealistic and predictable, but it will make you feel good
This horsey, 1970s-set Disney film doesn't boast the most imaginative script and is too long and businesslike for youngsters -- yet it still produces a lump in the throat.