Animal films - particularly those about horses - are not up everyone's street. But Secretariat breaks down those boundaries.
Not only will horse lovers like it, but wider audiences will too.
It is an inspiring and empowering story of belief and faith. With some horse racing thrown into the mix.
The film follows the story of Penny Chenery, a respectable and proud wife and mother whose life changes after the death of her mother. Returning to her family home and farm - with a long history of training and racing horses - she takes the decision to continue her parents work and puts all of her effort into a long-shot horse, Big Red.
Enlisting the help of eccentric but brilliant trainer Lucien Laurin, played by the one-and-only John Malkovich, Penny (Diane Lane) guides the audience on a journey of overcoming obstacles and problems to reach the seemingly impossible goal of winning the Triple Crown.
Secretariat is uplifting and inspirational, not just for those interested in horses or horse racing, but for everyone sending out an important message that anyone can achieve anything with just a little belief and a little hope.
Despite the conflict of training her beloved Big Red and the long-distance relationship with her family, the illness of her father and the money problems, the film - which is based on the true story of one of the greatest racehorses to ever run - Penny shows that anything is possible if you don't give up.
As a horse lover I obviously enjoyed the film, but I would also recommend it to other anti-animal people.
The characters are wonderfully developed and believable, and the casting is faultless.
The plot has the perfect combination of fast-paced and exciting racing action scenes, humorous one-liners and situations, and warm, emotional relationships between family and between Big Red, his owner, trainer and jockey.
Seabiscuit was a hit on its release in 2003 - the true story of an unlikely champion racehorse rising above all the obstacles to become a surprise success story. Secretariat is ultimately the same - but better.
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