Seabiscuit

  Plot Summary

During the Depression in the United States, a time of hardship and struggle, the lives of three very different men come together when they start to train a racehorse. They are, the wealthy owner, Charles Howard (Jeff Bridges), the horse trainer, Tom Smith (Chris Cooper) and the struggling jockey, Red Pollard (Tobey Maguire). Each man is going through their own personal struggle. When they start to train Seabiscuit, a horse who is thought to be too small and lazy for racing, their lives dramatically change...

Review

The film is based on the true story of a famous American racehorse who, not only changed the lives of those involved in its training, but also, caught the imagination of the American people. The story takes place during the Depression in America and it was a time when people wanted something to believe in, something to hope for. The film, helped by narratives, shows a little of the history of the 1930's and depicts the changing society in America. One interesting part shows the mass production of the Ford automobile and the start of American's love affair with the car! The film cleverly captures the mood of the era by including black and white footage of the time. In comparison the film is beautifully shot in rich autumn yellows, reds and browns.

The horse racing scenes are extremely well filmed. The beauty, grace and strength of the horses is captured, and the noise of the thundering hooves adds to the excitement.

Tobey Maguire obviously shed a couple of stone for his role as a jockey. With his narrow frame and comfortable way around the horses he looks convincing as a professional jockey. Jeff Bridges played Charles Howard, the owner of Seabiscuit. Charles Howard was a man who had suffered personal tragedy and his tired, weary expression displayed this. Chris Cooper played the part of the horse trainer. He was a man, with old values (like honesty!), trying to cope with the changing society as people swapped their horses for automobiles.

The Bottom Line: This is a "family entertainment" movie that will, in the future, pop up again and again on the small screen during the Christmas holidays! Seabiscuit is a story of the weak becoming strong, the injured recovering, the imperfect competing with the best, the small against the big. It is an inspiring tale that lifts the spirit.

Lasting Thought: You don't throw away a life just because its banged up a little.  

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2003

Genre: Family Drama

Certificate: 12's

Director: Gary Ross

~ Main Cast ~

Tobey Maguire

Jeff Bridges

Chris Cooper

Elizabeth Banks

William H Macy

RATING

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