76 78 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Big Red rules!, October 6, 2010 I love horses, especially Thoroughbred, and Secretariat, whose nickname was "Big Red" was one of the best. This film, he does justice. Diane Lane, the owner of the horse and stables, is an exquisite work in its role as a stable owner and extraordinarily elegant woman gutsy. John Malkovich is perfect as a trainer of Big Red, very experienced a geek that finally gets his chance to get the glory in the shape of a horse. Now that I've seen the movie can't imagine any other actors in those roles. Photography competitions, including closeups of the horse's back end hind legs and hooves fills the screen and throw trash at full speed, is amazing. I knew already the story of the Secretariat, and I was wondering if it was worth going to see a movie that just told that story over again, but wow! It was always worth it. help other customers find the most useful reviews This review was helpful?
44 of 44 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful Film, October 11, 2010 many of the reviews said it was overpowering, opaque, but don't believe it. "Secretariat" was fun and exciting from beginning to end.
It brought back many memories to horse WINS. Being from NY, I appreciated especially scenes of Belmont Park.
Although the "Secretariat" is classified as a "family", is not only a film for children. Adults will enjoy it as much if not more, of children.
He was also a nice change from the current crop of movies that are made for shock value or without any semblance of a story.
I can't wait to see again the "Secretariat". help other customers find the most useful reviews This review was helpful?
39 40 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Secretary-I want my copy of this movie!, 9 October 2010 didn't know the story of "Big Red" aka "Secretariat" until yesterday, when I went to see this movie. I think I was the only one in the theater who didn't know the check-out come for all through the movie I felt as if I was the only a clapping or gripping arms side of my seat ... the film about made my heart burst because of anticipation and desire for the underdog to win! I loved the racing scene in this film, the beauty of a running horse, and execution, the decline of each of its muscles, doing what you know was born to do! Communication/love between Big Red and her owner is heart-breaking and one that can be a real animal lover. This film was done wisely and I encourage everyone to go and see the "Secretariat"!!!! Stay until the end when they show that has played, for it is one of those great movies where you want to know what happened to all the key players.the end will share their site.
All my best to u-dogs and animal lovers worldwide!
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The "greatest racehorse of all time" mantle fits easily around the neck of Secretariat, the 1973 Triple Crown winner. So why not a movie version of this champion's life? Secretariat begins in the late '60s, with some good behind-the-scenes material on how thoroughbreds come to be (there's flavorful atmosphere inside the horsey world, including an account of Secretariat's ownership being decided by a coin flip as part of an old-school agreement). A highly lacquered Diane Lane plays Penny Chenery, the inheritor of her father's stables, who segues from being an all-American mom to running a major horse-racing franchise; reliable character-actor support comes in the form of John Malkovich, as a gaudily outfitted trainer, and Margo Martindale, as Chenery's assistant. Screenwriter Mike Rich and director Randall Wallace must do some heavy lifting to make Lane's privileged millionaire into some sort of underdog--luckily, the hidebound traditions of the male-dominated racing scene provide some sources of outrage. The need to stack the deck even more leads the movie into its more contrived scenes, unfortunately, as though we needed dastardly villains in order to root for Penny and her horse. Meanwhile, attempts to reach for a little Seabiscuit-style social relevance don't come off, and a curious religious undertone might make you wonder whether we're meant to assume that God chose Secretariat over some less-deserving equine. The actual excitement of the races can't be denied, however, and Secretariat's awe-inspiring win at the Belmont Stakes remains a jaw-dropping, still-unequaled display of domination in that event. And maybe in sports. --Robert Horton