Secretariat - A Review of the New Disney Movie

On June 9, 1973 Secretariat won the US Triple Crown of horse racing, the first such victory in 25 years.

People who loved horse racing, and people who just love events thrilled to see the big red horse pull ahead of the field to win the Belmont Stakes with a 31 length lead over the rest of the field.

Secretariat set records that still stand today, and was named by ESPN as one of the 100 greatest athletes of the 20th Century. His incredible win of the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes was noted by ESPN as the second greatest individual US athletic achievement of the 20th Century.

Now, Disney Studios reintroduces us to Secretariat in the movie of the same name. Staring Diane Lane as Penny Chenery, the former housewife and mother of four who owned and promoted Secretariat, and John Malkovich as the trainer. Lucien Laurin who guided the big red horse to victory in the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes, the 3 races that make up the US Triple Crown.

At an advanced screening of the movie,Secretariat, my husband and I had a perfect seat. I was surprised that the theater was not filled to capacity. After all the tickets were free. This does not bode well for the success of the film.

Secretariat was beautifully shot, the color and the lighting evoking a simpler time, somehow the colors of memory. Secretariat was not the best movie that I have ever seen, not even in the top 20, but how many are? I recommend it highly.

In these dreary times of economic adversity, a time when the whole country seems either angry or depressed, when 9 out of 10 movies involve fantastic computer generated settings, zombies, murder and mayhem, or a remake of an old TV show, it was a real treat to watch an old fashioned movie. A story. Secretariat is about faith, hope, and perseverance.

Penny Chenery was wonderfully depicted by Diane Lane - no histrionics, just an intelligent women who came to a decision and stuck to it, unshakable. Lane's Penny Chenery is not harsh or strident, she plugs along with grace and humanity, even humility.And I loved the vintage outfits!

If you are looking for a heroic female influence for your daughter, this is the movie for you. Penny Chenery not only owned and backed on of the greatest race horses in the history of thoroughbred racing, but withstood the obstacles of the male dominated world of horse racing to become the first member of the Jockey Club.

Nelsan Ellis, new to the big screen did an excellent job of playing Secretariat's groom, the man most responsible for and closest to the big red colt. Ellis played his role with warmth and sincerity and I'm sure we will be seeing him again soon.

John Malkovich was John Malkovich playing the same role that he seems to play all the time, a confused, bossy, opinionated yet talented nut with wardrobe issues.

Margo Martindale plays the part of the Meadow Stables secretary, Miss Ham, the woman who eventually named the big red colt. Martindale depicts Miss Ham wonderfully as a woman with great inner strength, total loyalty, and impeccable character.

Secretariat is a feel good movie - you know darn right well what is going to happen. But even when you know the outcome of each race, you can't help but clutch your fists in suspense at the pounding of the horses hooves along the race track.

My only real complaint? The horse that played Secretariat, while winsome and good looking lacked the same physical magnificence of the big red colt, that huge neck and noble bearing.

The reason I enjoyed Disney's Secretariat? I remember that race at Belmont. I only saw it on a crummy 12" black and white TV. I'll never forget it. We all sat clustered around the screen, in our first apartment, about 6 of us, boisterous young folks struck suddenly silent, moving, paralyzed by the story we saw unfold - how Secretariat broke away from the field, shooting forward, running that race all by himself, to win by 31 lengths... It was the most exciting athletic event I've ever seen.

And watching the movie Secretariat, I was transported back to that perfect moment, a moment the country had anticipated for 25 years. Secretariat was our new king and all of us his willing and adoring subjects.

So, the movie, Secretariat was typical Disney - beautiful, good hearted, and ultimately satisfying. But they did not have to reach far to add magic to the story. Perfect moments are rare enough.