Movies Reviews

Secretariat – Movie Review

By Anne Brodie Oct 7, 2010, 15:34 GMT

Based on the remarkable true story, SECRETARIAT chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner.  Housewife and mother Penny Chenery (DIANE LANE) agrees to take over her ailing father’s Virginia-based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge. Against all odds, Chenery—with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich)—manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and what may ...more

This exhilarating and uniquely well crafted film is based on the true story of a woman and her horse.  The woman is Penney Chenery; a Denver housewife who took over care of her father’s horse farm in the ‘60’s and nurtured a red stallion to greatness. 

The horse is the red stallion that won the 1973 Triple Crown and set records that stand today 37 years after his first win – Secretariat.

Even though the name and story of Secretariat is well known, the film manages to bring an electric dramatic tension that will have audiences anxiously wringing their hands during races, jumping in their seats, and regularly tearing up. 

And for a story the outcome of which we already know!  That is one of the many reasons this film is special and will be a prominent contender next awards season.

Randall Wallace’ (Braveheart) race scenes are almost excruciatingly exciting, shot from all kinds of clever and astonishing angles, with thrilling noises, beats, and thrums that leave an indelible, heart-pounding impression. 

Clods of earth flying up from Secretariat’s hooves put us directly in the moment and able to feel the pounding.  These are some of the most exciting horse race scenes in cinema, perhaps barring Ben Hur, silent and sound.

Diane Lane is at her elegant, cool, intelligent best, as “housewife” Penney, who is given a second chance at life assuming this fabulous shiny beast as her charge.  She surprises the male dominated and somewhat cut throat world of horse breeding and racing at a time when women were just beginning to liberate themselves from socially mandated domestic roles. 

She took on the big shots, knowing she was in foreign territory and soon had them dancing a jog to her tune.  That was an international headline grabber in 1973.

But Chenery didn’t do it alone.  Superb supporting performances from John Malkovich as the volatile and style challenged trainer, to breakout star Nelsan (sic) Ellis as the groom, and excellent character actress Margo Martindale as family retainer Miss Ham, serve the film’s pedigree. 

But the horse, whoever he / she / they may be, is a knockout; soulful in close-ups and physically impressive and agile, this beast is boss.  And Lane has clearly taken time to get to know it, as they gaze at each other sending silent messages and love.

Okay so it’s a tad manipulative.  But it doesn’t matter that much in the scheme of things.  The film’s a winner and will likely go the distance at awards time for so many reasons – direction, acting, screenplay, both lead and supporting, cinematography, art direction, costuming, production, and film.  It has all the markings.

Lane’s costumes are top notch vintage sixties, sweater sets, kilts, white shirts, barn jackets and embroidered brocade, nothing showy, very high toned horsey set chic.  And her Denver home is a jewel of mid-century modern architecture that will make design fans weak at the knees. 

Look for a still chic Chenery in the stands cheering, just behind Lane. Just a wonderful film that hits all the marks.

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35mm drama
Written by Mike Rich, William Nack
Directed by Randall Wallace
Opens: Oct. 8
Runtime:
MPAA: Rated PG for brief mild language
Country: USA
Language: English