Review of Seabiscuit (2003) by Matthew S — 03 Jan 2013

This is a well made film but there were some very small elements that bothered me. Although, if I may, Chris Cooper's performance is the best in the entire film. I wish the film was mainly about him. As for Seabiscuit, he is clearly just a race horse with a bit of a temper and with holding low esteem (until the three race men break the horse out of that zone) rather then a humane being just as that guy who walks Seabiscuit in the paddock is only a grooom and nothing more. Why couldn't the filmmakers give that actor at least one noteable performance? When he does talk you can hardly hear him. That's just wrong. Another scene I had a problem with is when families eat at a dinner table together you say GRACE! I was sort of offended when Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, and Elizabeth Banks just started eating without giving any thanks or praise. Believe me if you were living during The Great Depression, i'm sure non-believers must have done a little bit of prayer in the shadows hoping to for next evening's dinner meal.

Gary Ross is a skilled filmmaker and I loved his Pleasantville then this. I haven't seen his film The Hunger Games where he would work again with Liz Banks, the trailer doesn't make me want to check out the picture.