Review of Secretariat (2010) by Alvin Y — 31 Jan 2011

This is a great Disney family film in the tradition of family films that used to emanate routinely from Disney Studios. This one though is a bit more sophisticated and cerebral than the traditional Disney offerings which were mostly comedies or musicals.

There has been some negative press about this film, most of it critical about its rose-colored-glass portrayal of the era, 1969-73, when the story in the movie takes place. Naturally most of this criticism comes from the left-leaning press, and most Hollywood movies are left-leaning in their political outlook.

..so it is interesting that the media would criticize one of the few Hollywood movies that does not take a position either way. But really...this movie is about a horse, horse racing and the horses owner and family, not about the socio-political upheaval that took place during this era.

I digress of course, but the criticism I have read just struck a chord w/me. This is, bottom line, a wonderful, inspiring, heartwarming story that is even more compelling to me because it is, for the most part, based on fact.

Some minor changes were made - such as the outcome of the Woods Memorial - mostly for dramatic effect, but they do not detract from the overall excellence of the film. The direction by Randall Wallace is masterful; the acting, especially by Diane Lane, John Malkovich; and the horse that plays Secretariat, is superb; the cinematography is breathtaking; and the writing is spot on.

This is one of the finest films about a race horse and its owner ever made; comparable to Seabiscuit in its excellence.