"Seabiscuit"

"Seabiscuit"

Directed by: Gary Ross Starring: Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Banks, William H. Macy Rated: PG-13 (for mild language, mild sexual innuendo, and sports-related violence) Running Time: 130 minutes Best Suited For: Just about everyone

Although many true stories combine elements of greatness—heroics in battle or survival against inhospitable elements—few films manage to successfully capture the essence of such tales. But once in awhile a film rises above the ordinary, from a seemingly random juncture of chance and circumstance. Based on the best seller by Laura Hillenbrand, "Seabiscuit" is a gentle film of fortitude and courage—the very elements of greatness—centered around a small and repeatedly dismissed thoroughbred that raced into legend more than 60 years ago.

"Seabiscuit" is the story of three unspectacular men whose lives and that of an ungainly, undersized animal intertwine, and capture the heart of America at a time when the country desperately needed winners. The spirit of America is ambition, after all, defined by a sense of purpose. As separate entities, Seabiscuit’s owner, Charles Howard (Jeff Bridges); trainer, Tom Smith (Chris Cooper); and jockey, Red Pollard (Tobey Maguire), lack both ambition and purpose. But together, as an unlikely team, they find those qualities again. The film wonderfully, almost magically, relates that formula of success—why Seabiscuit the animal resonated with Depression-era America—and why "Seabiscuit" the film is likely to resonate with audiences today. It is the classic American success story.

"Seabiscuit" is a visually stunning and multidimensional ride through the 1930s. It’s swiftly paced, finely tuned and told with great clarity. It also contains some of the most impressively choreographed racing sequences I’ve ever seen. It is not a yawner. The dialog is crisp and smart, and those moments of humor (there are many) come from the heart. It’s a refreshing treat to see a film that doesn’t cater to the throwaway one-liner; a film that respects the intelligence of its audience.

The film admittedly displays an overt, almost mythical sentimentality that some may dismiss as trite, but what are heroes without their pedestals? Anyone willing to step away from this summer’s deluge of pyrotechnics and road-rage demolitions will come to realize that sometimes it’s the smallest stories that become the most powerful tales.

Frankly, saying more would be giving away too much. My advice? Go see the film. You won’t come away unmoved. And what more can you ask for the price of admission?

In a nutshell: When was the last time an audience applauded a film fading to black? "Seabiscuit" is a movie you’ll find hard not to enjoy, or at least respect—a film content to tug at your heartstrings without reaching down your throat and yanking to make its point. I find it rewarding to see such tremendous talent as Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper and Tobey Maguire playing the roles of ordinary men, in ordinary times, under extraordinary circumstances not of their own making.

I suspect there will be several Oscar nominations for this one and possibly a lasting place of endearment for a tale of true American folk heroes.

Acorn Rating Guide

A modern classic = • • • • •

Exceptional = • • • •

A worthy effort = • • •

A few good moments = • •

Wait for the video = •

Don’t bother = X