Interesting a moving. A great horse-racing story.
John "Red" Pollard (Tobey Maguire), born a great Canadian in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, was a natural on horses. He had a jockey's sense from an early age, and many in his family knew this. "He's too tall," some commented. But that didn't stop Red.
Charles Howard (Jeff Bridges) was a "roaring" twenties automobile salesman. When October, 1929 hit, he lost most of his customers. Even worse, his only son was killed in an automobile accident on a back country road in the mountains. Charles never got over the loss of his son.
During the early "dirty" thirties, the United States was under prohibition (booze was illegal) and no gambling. Thus, the Mexican "boarder town" was established. Here, a thirsty man (or woman!) could get a nice cold drink and bet on a horse race or two without the fear of legal action.
It was down here that Charles Howard went to get a quickie divorce, and to escape the pain of loosing his only child.
Red Pollard had left Canada with a horse owner on the advice of his parents. He had a chance to become a great jockey. However, this owner was abusive and violent. Red soon left for Mexico, where he became a boxer-for-the-money.
Charles Howard first saw Seabiscuit on a dark, misty night, and purchased him soon afterward. It was also in Mexico where Charles met Red, and the two founded a partnership that would stand even the toughest of times.
Charles also met a tough-but-firm trainer in Mexico named Tom Smith (Chris Cooper) who he also forged a strong bond with.
Under the Guidence of Charles, and the training of Tom, Seabiscuit and Red became a great team, and eventually won six races in a row enabling them to go for a title shot, up against the greatest race horse of the day, Seabiscuit's half brother, War Admiral. It is a winner-take-the-glory stakes, untill a severe accident almost criples that chance.
Some movies get you to belive in the power of certain elements; Seabiscuit moves you to belive in the power of the human heart. Both Red and Seabiscuit never give up when knocked down. There is a great moral in this; it's the age old addage that if at first you don't succeed, try and try and try again.
Red Pollard Belived in those old addages, even when the world told him otherwise. "He'll never ride agian," they said. "The horse will never race again," they touted. "He's finished," some cried. But they were all wrong. Red got back on his feet and relived that dream of his again. And that's what counts... making sure you feel good about yourself like Red did.
I liked the periodness of Seabiscuit. The whole atmosphere of the film, right from the word go, got you into it. Even if that didn't, chearing on Seabiscuit every time he raced certainly would.
When Seabiscuit raced War Admiral, you generally wanted to cheer him on. You wanted to see him win against the odds. It made me feel good to see the underdog win (I like seeing the underdog win).
I noticed parallels to the beginning of the filma nd the end. Charles Howard lost his son in a freak accident. He then moves on, slowly, meeting, Red who becomes like a son to Charles. But when Red's life is threatened, it is like loosing his son all over again.
I also thought Jeff Bridges performance was Oscar worthy, at any rate.
Plot:
Interesting a moving. A great horse-racing story.
Visual Effects:
The cinematography is excellent and the intersplicing of the camera shots is magnificent. However, the only downside to the graphics (there are little special effects shots) is the extreme close-ups of the jockey's riding the horses. The bobbing horse heads look fake and out of place, however this is compensated by the quick shots of the race editied together.
Sound:
What little score there is is decent, and there are no songs to speak of.
Character Development:
All of the characters mesh together very well and evolve in their own ways, some good and some bad. It all works out well.
Atmosphere:
As stated above, the whole atmosphere of the film, right from the word go, got you into it. Even if that didn't, chearing on Seabiscuit every time he raced certainly would.
Realism: 
The film Seabiscuit is based on a true story, although the events of the story pass quickly... we have to read between the lines as to how Red ended up in the US from Alberta, as well as the events in the life of Charles Howard. and yes, some points are dramatized for Hollywood. All-in-all, these are minor details which do not take away from the period piece.
Warren’s Rating:
Movies it was nominated with for Best Picture:
*Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, (2003); Lost in Translation, (2003); Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World; Mystic River, (2003);
8.14/10 Is the movie worth your time to watch?
22-02-04
