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Comment by 2276

This could have been a great movie if not for Hollywood turning Secretariat the horse into a full blown version of Rocky. Poncho Martin trainer of Sham, Secretariat's arch rival "Secretariat is going down". Folks it never happened. Secretariat was the BEST racehorse that ever peered thru a brial. His accomplishments are virtually unmatched by any horse present, past or future. Why Hollywood filmed the Belmont Stakes at Keeneland and show horses racing on poly turf not dirt is beyond me.

For anyone to think that any horsemen would start a fire in a wastepaper basket in a barn surrounded by hay, or that the trainer would say he was afraid to hold the horse as he is out to get him is pure Hollywood. And do you think any trainer would hand a multi million dollar thoroughbred to an owner to give a sponge bath? Basically this is a good family movie in which the outcome is known from the moment the movie starts. John Malkovich portrays a Hall of Fame trainer in Lucien Laurin and plays him as a joker for comic relief.

Lucien was a great trainer and is nothing like that. As for Diane Lane she is always lovely to look at. She does her best to portray Secretariat's owner who took on a male dominated sport. What the movie fails to show is the price she had to pay with her family to achieve success.

But then again this is a Disney movie and only Happy Endings are approved. My recommendation is that if you are unfamiliar with Secretariat you can feel comfortable in taking the family to see it. But if you are a true horse lover or horsemen you are going to be very disappointed. Secretariat the horse is just a supporting character in a movie that should have been about him.
Wednesday October 13, 2010 1:30:31 PM EDT

Comment by henthorn1

I watched it with friends and we all agreed it was good drama, photography, and action. I'd rate it 4 stars/ 5.
The horse was the reason for the story, put in context of the times and the Chenery family's struggles. I loved it, even though the horse was only one of the stars. The equine actor had me convinced he was the real Big Red in the flesh. Diane Lane was perfect as Penny. What a trooper she is! And John Malkovich was a bigger-than-life Lucien Lauren, both comical and serious. Sharon
Tuesday October 12, 2010 11:53:42 AM EDT

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