Movie Review: Secretariat

Diane Lane adds some gravitas to a typical Disney story. Photo / Supplied

A conventional and heartwarming film, this is the true story of the great horse Secretariat, who made history in 1973 as the first horse in 25 years to win America's coveted Triple Crown.

You don't have to be interested in horses or racing to enjoy what is an entertaining yarn. Secretariat isn't just a story about a great horse, it's also the tale of 70s housewife and mother Penny Chenery (Lane) who stepped out of the kitchen and into the male-dominated world of horse racing to save her ailing father's Virginia based Meadow Stable.

With little money, no trainer, and without support from her family, all Penny has going for her is the foal she affectionately calls Big Red. She hires veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (Malkovich) and jockey Ronnie Turcotte (Otto Thorwarth) and keeps the stables running by coming up with an audacious plan to sell shares in her horse, hoping he is the champion she believes he is.

There's no great surprise as to how this straight, old-fashioned film unfolds, and yet director Randall Wallace (The Man in the Iron Mask) keeps us captivated with pulsating and tension filled horse races shot to take us right into the action. While we may know the likely outcome it's difficult not to get caught up willing Secretariat to victory.

Lane is graceful and smart as Penny, a wonderful role model for the quiet feminist messages spread throughout the film. Malkovich adds the only wacky tone and you love him for it. With a dry sense of humour, anti-establishment attitude and colourful, dashing wardrobe he's a breath of fresh air and, thankfully, funny without really even trying.

Secretariat is overly sentimental, and the story too neatly packaged but, just like the horse it's named after, it's got a big heart. If you're keen to expand your knowledge of the history of horse racing beyond Seabiscuit, then this will do the trick.

LOWDOWN

Stars: 3/5
Cast: Diane Lane, James Cromwell, John Malkovich
Director: Randall Wallace
Running time: 130 mins
Rating: G
Verdict: Great horse racing footage livens up this traditional Disney flick.

-TimeOut