Fast Track Productions, Mayhem Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures
Diane Lane, John Malkovich, Scott Glenn, James Cromwell, Dylan Walsh, Fred Dalton Thompson, Kevin Connolly, Nestor Serrano, Amanda Michalka, Carissa Capobianco
Penny Chenery Tweedy (Diane Lane) is the daughter of Chris Chenery (Scott Glen), owner of a horse farm. Chris is in bad shape and unable to function very well anymore. The farm is losing money, but his wife is trying to keep things running. When she suddenly dies, Penny remembers her childhood on the farm, and gets interested in the business. Her trainer pulled a fast one and tried to talk her dad into selling 4 horses at less than half their value to another farm where he also worked. Chris’ wife stopped the sale, but when Penny found out about it she fired the trainer. This gave everyone (except her husband and children) the idea that a woman could save the farm, run the business, and succeed in a world that was only run by men. She needs a new trainer and hooks up with Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich) who is very eccentric to say the least! When they have a new colt “Big Red” that everyone says will never be able to race, Penny decides to “bet the farm” on him.
This is a story based on the true story and events in the lives of Penny Chenery and Secretariat, one of the most unusual and greatest horses that ever lived. Like its predecessor “Seabiscuit”, this is a fascinating true story of an amazing horse. The people in the story are interesting, but it’s the horse race that is most exciting. Diane Lane is wonderful as Penny Chenery, and this is a role built for John Malkovich. He does the nutsy guy better than anyone. Scott Glenn as Chris Chenery is in a small role, but he is very touching as an old man who is losing his wits. He is very good. This is a movie that really knows how to tell a story. It gets right into it and builds and builds to the exiting finish. The racing sequences are excellent, but the lives of the people are very well played too. Disney has a winner with this film. It is the best movie I’ve seen in a long time. Anyone who likes horses will love this, but anyone who loves a good story is going to like it as well.
EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog
