Breaking out of the gates with strong stride,
patient disciplined pace and confidence, "Seabiscuit"
eventually relaxes, but still finishes ahead of many
other summer movies.
Careful, warm, rich cinematography combined with,
caring, smart, detail-oriented direction bridle a
lively sharp screenplay/story. This winning
combination continues for the first forty-five
minutes or so of this 2-hour plus production.
After that, things loosen
up. With the rich host of endearing characters
sketched and teamed, the story narrows, often
trotting over ground already well trodden. The middle
of the film is not bad, but certainly not as mighty
as the films first A+ open.
As the film rounds the rail to the homestretch, it
again takes on a more original demeanor.
I love the initially subtle analogy of the
underdog racehorse (underhorse?) symbolizing the out
of work, down and out, American spirit of the
depression area citizen. Unfortunately, later this is
expressed all too perfectly in words.
A beautiful, old school American film. A great
cast, solid story and sweet cinematography prevail
over small imperfections.
"You don't throw a whole life away just 'cause
it's banged up a little."
"In any good adaptation," screenwriter/director
Gary Ross explains, "what you're really being
faithful to is the spirit of the book, that was my
compass, that's what I wanted to make sure I was
honoring. Of course I would change details and would
fictionalize parts. That way, I could capture the
impact of the story, the meaning of the book. So
every change I made I cleared with Laura, who was
wonderfully open. It was like having a great
collaborator."
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