| SEABISCUIT |
 2003 - USADirector: Gary Ross -Reviewed by Vickie
What, you’re saying, no witty intro, Vickie? No smart-alecky opening? No anecdote about someone or something at the theater before you leap into your review? Nope. Can't do it. ‘Cause this is one of those movies that feels like a big, comfy sweater. It’s warm, cozy and makes you feel all nice inside. It’s not a summer blockbuster and it’s not a quaint little indie. It’s just... good, and finding some witty way of backing into the review just didn’t work. Seabiscuit follows three seemingly different men who share the common denominator of being, at one time or another, broken. There’s Red, abandoned by his family as a young teenager and forced to scrape together a living as a race-side horse handler and sometime boxer. There’s Charles Howard (Jeff Bridges), a one-time millionaire who suffers a personal tragedy and looks to retain his hold on what’s left of his life. And, finally, there’s Tom Smith (Chris Cooper), a quiet cowboy of few words who finds the beauty in even the most beaten-down animal as cities gradually encroach on his beloved open land. How fitting, then, that the horse that brings them all together—Seabiscuit—is equally in need of mending, both physically and emotionally. Since the story is one that actually happened, it’s no surprise that little Seabiscuit and his rag-tag team overcome countless obstacles and wind up winning races most assumed they would barely be able to finish. And, in the process, the tale of the little pony that could travels the country and winds up bringing hope to the downtrodden American public struggling to survive the Depression. Many are citing this as the year’s first true Oscar contender, and I can see why. It’s a true, feel-good story about overcoming hardship and adversity, it’s laden with rich cinematography and is blessed with some outstanding performances. While Maguire is excellent and Bridges equally strong, it’s Chris Cooper who manages to snag the spotlight with his wonderfully understated performance. If Adaptation hadn’t landed him an Oscar, this film surely would have...and may very well garner him another nomination. Another notable cast member is William H. Macy, as frenetic, hilarious radio broadcaster, "Tick-Tock" McLaughlin. His brief but brilliant interjections provide much-needed comic relief amid some of the more poignant moments. Beautifully shot and nicely paced, Seabiscuit packs a lot of story into its admittedly sizable two-hour-and-twenty-minute running time. And yet, it never feels too long. Yes, there are some sequences that seem unnecessary or aren’t entirely clear, but Gary Ross (Pleasantville) keeps those to a minimum in favor of solid storytelling. I’m not sure if a movie about a man and his horse is going to draw in the crowds at the theaters, but it should. I dare you not to enjoy it. |
| Home | Currently Playing | For Rent | Video Obsession
©2003 Moviepie e-mail us |
Tobey Maguire stars as real-life Depression-era jockey Johnny "Red"
Pollard—who rode a small, limpy little horse named Seabiscuit and
injected a needy nation with a heaping dose of inspiration—in
writer-director Gary Ross’s heartwarming adaptation of the book by
Laura Hillenbrand.
