SEABISCUIT

Starring:
Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Banks, Gary Stevens and William H. Macy

Screenwriter/Director:
Gary Ross

Running Time:
141 mins

Out to buy on DVD 23rd February

Gripped by the great depression, 1930s America didn't have much to celebrate. Charles Howard (Bridges) had tragically lost his son and was still struggling to contain his grief, Tom Smith (Cooper) was a part of a dying breed, the Cowboy with no plains to drift and Red Pollard (Maguire) was a down on his luck jockey, who had to supplement his meagre income with unlicensed boxing. This all changed when Howard bought a racehorse that every trainer said had had its day. But Seabiscuit wasn't a quitter and as the three saw this horse grow into a champion, them and the downtrodden public as last had a success story to pull them out of the doldrums.

Once in a while a movie comes along that you just can't help liking, Seabiscuit is just that movie.

Based on the novel by Laura Hillenbrand and brought to the screen by screenwriter/director Gary Ross, this is the quintessential feel good movie. Told with historical references to the time, voiced over by the three protagonists, the story tells the true-life escapades of a track legend that would give hope back to not only the three people involved but also a nation in the grip of financial and emotional depression. Seabiscuit's rise from no-hoper to horseracing legend would symbolise the era and ignite the belief and passion demoralised public.

The performances from the three main leads are superb. Tobey Maguire shows again that he is becoming a very accomplished actor. Working again with Gary Ross, after working on Ross's debut feature Pleasantville, the director brings out another fine performance from the rising star whose superstardom was always hinted at, even in his early career. Chris Cooper gives another assured performance as aging Cowboy Tom Smith. He captures the essence of the man whose world was disappearing but his principles and believes would always ring true. Jeff Bridges is back on top form as the overly enthusiastic Charles Howard, the millionaire car dealer who handles the promotion of Seabiscuit like he is selling you the latest Buick.

The supporting cast are also good. US jockey legend Gary Stevens makes an excellent debut as George Wolf, you would never guess that he hasn't graced the sliver screen before. Elizabeth Banks is very good as Howard's second wife Marcela, proving that she could be a young actress to watch. It is William H. Macy that almost steals the show as local race announcer Tick Tock McGlaughlin. His sheer energy and comedic timing are evident in spades, providing a sprinkling laughter throughout the movie.

Director Gary Ross does an excellent job as transferring what it feels like to be in the heart of a horse race. The sport of kings is brilliantly recreated, drawing you into the thick of the action as you travel along with Red and Seabiscuit. By getting the camera in extremely close to the horses, you witness the sheer hectic speed of the sport and the exhilaration of the win.

It is the uplifting story that is the films tour-de-force. The movie is filled with the feel good factor. You just can't help but get involved with these characters as you watch them go through an emotional roller coaster ride and feel elated when they triumph and devastated when they fall. I would have like to have known more about what happened after the events of the movie but this does nothing to distract you from the sheer enjoyment and uplifting feeling you get from watching this movie. I'd place a bet that this is going to do really well.

Audio commentary from director Gary Ross, The 1938 Match Race- Seabiscuit vs War Admiral, 'Anatomy Of A Movie Moment' featurette, 'Bringing The Legend To Life' featurette, Interactive menu & Scene access


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2003