Secretariat (Randall Wallace, 2010): USA

Reviewed by Kathleen Amboy.  Viewed at Fairview Twin, Santa Barbara, CA.

The first horse to win the Triple Crown after a 25 year racing drought is depicted with emotional detachment in Disney Pictures’ Secretariat.

In the red and on the verge of losing her father’s horse breeding farm, Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) becomes the owner of a special colt through the single toss of a coin.  She is convinced that this colt has the makings of a thoroughbred champ, and hires a recommended trainer by the name of Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich), to help put her business back in the black again.

Chenery is also a housewife and mother of four, who takes a hiatus from family life to focus her energy on the training of Secretariat, but against the wishes of her husband and brother, and despite the naysayers of the Jockey Club.

Although a great plot, the film falls short and is only marginally good – not great.  The emotion in the film fails to translate and affect the emotion of the audience – there is no attachment to any of the characters (including the horse), and neither is there a connection amongst the characters to each other.

When Chenery encounters so many negatives, she breaks down in a fit of frustration and self-pity, yet we don’t feel empathy.  We just watch.  After the horse loses an important race, Chenery gives her trainer and jockey a real tongue-lashing, yet we don’t feel her anger nor their disappointment.  The dialogue does not feel genuine, it feels contrived and lacks momentum, making the actors unconvincing.

With two strong leads such as Lane and Malkovich who do their best with what they’re given, it is baffling to try to figure out.  There are a few redeeming elements such as light humor regarding Lucien’s clothing ensembles – loud and mismatched, but as time goes by Chenery has a tasteful effect on his choices to the point where they’re nearly wearing the same color schemes.

Though an interesting story, this film was disappointing.  Wait for the DVD.

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Published:
11.13.10 / 6pm
Category:
Films