Seabiscuit Review
by Steve Rhodes (Steve DOT Rhodes AT InternetReviews DOT com)July 28th, 2003
SEABISCUIT
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2003 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): ***
SEABISCUIT, a story about a horse that's too small, a jockey that's too tall, a trainer that's too old and an owner that's too stupid to know he's attempting the impossible, is a movie that's too long and too sappy, but it manages to be fine entertainment nonetheless.
As it builds to "the race of the century," when little Seabiscuit challenges the undefeated War Admiral, a battleship-sized, coal-black horse with the speed of a locomotive, the movie cuts frequently to newsreel footage as the country is fighting its battle against the Great Depression. Lest we miss the symbolism, the script is filled with aphorisms such as, "Sometimes, all somebody needs is a second chance," and "He may have been down, but he's not out." The struggle of the horse, the jockey, the trainer and the owner are metaphors for America since they are all been beaten down but get second chances to succeed. When subtlety would have helped, writer/director Gary Ross instead uses a meat cleaver to beat the film's messages into our heads. It's an enjoyable picture in spite of rather than because of Ross's approach.
Jeff Bridges, reprising some of his Preston Tucker character from TUCKER, plays Charles Howard, a wealthy automotive entrepreneur turned racehorse owner. He comes back from the death of a son and the dissolution of a marriage to be the owner of Seabiscuit, a race horse given up on as a loser. Tobey Maguire plays Red Pollard, a jockey who is blind in one eye after his failed attempts at prize fighting. Chris Cooper delivers another fine performance as Tom Smith, the taciturn trainer who had been put out to pasture before Howard discovers him. Providing some much needed comic relief, William H. Macy plays Tick Tock McGlaughlin, a cheesy radio announcer who provides his audiences with inside racing scoops, while doing his own silly sound effects.
Predictable but satisfying, the movie builds to the big race and then beyond in a long epilogue. Don't be surprised if your audience cheers when Seabiscuit wins the big one, which is no surprise. The movie's title isn't WAR ADMIRAL. If you like your movies with extra sugar, then Gary Ross has made the film for you. And, even if you have a problem with maudlin movies, you'll still probably like this Capraesque film, especially all of the minutia of the racing strategy, which turns out to be the best part.
SEABISCUIT runs 2:20. It is rated PG-13 for "some sexual situations and violent sports-related images" and would be acceptable for kids around 9 and up.
The film is playing in nationwide release now in the United States. In the Silicon Valley, it is showing at the AMC and the Century theaters.
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Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
