"Secretariat" Movie Trailer Review

"Secretariat"

Movie Trailer Review

By our guest blogger, Rob Stammitti

"Secretariat," based on the hyperbolically titled "impossible" true story of the racing horse of the same name who won the Triple Crown in 1973, looks to fit well in Disney's recent feel-good sports dramas, including "Miracle" and "The Rookie," which take these inspiring true stories and fill them with so much schmaltz you could drown in it. Not that that's a bad thing.

Diane Lane portrays Penny Chenery, the housewife who puts her faith in Secretariat and makes a quick name for herself as a bold and strong risk taker, willing to go up against everyone to see her horse take home the gold. John Malkovich looks to steal the show, however, as the horse's trainer, Lucien Laurin.

As far as sports films go, ones about horse racing seem to be the least inspiring, really--there's little for audience members to see in a horse that they can see in themselves, and sports movies are all about man transcending odds and triumphing over those conceived to be stronger than him. I suppose "Seabiscuit" is a good indication that that's not always the case, though, but I don't expect lightning will strike twice and get "Secretariat" as much praise as that film.

It doesn't look too bad, though, and the cast is talented enough that it could be solid, reasonably inspirational entertainment. Lane and Malkovich are joined by Dylan Walsh ("Happiness" and "Spider-Man") and James Cromwell ("Six Feet Under").

"Secretariat" is set for release on October 8, 2010. Trailer is below. Thoughts?