Secretariat - A Horse Becomes a Legend

Stories in which humans and/or animals face almost insurmountable obstacles and come out victorious in the end always fill the hearts of millions of viewers - especially when it is a true story. Secretariat - A horse becomes a legend tells such a story, which enjoys great popularity in the USA. So it was no wonder that the film adaptation by Randall Wallace, the acclaimed screenwriter of Braveheart, was a huge success at the American box office.

When her mother dies, a world comes crashing down for Penny Chenery Tweedy (Diane Lane). Her father (Scott Glenn) has completely withdrawn into himself and the family ranch and horse farm is on the verge of ruin. But even with her own brother turning on her, Penny will try anything to save her family's legacy. Big Red, the newest horse in the family's racing stable, is expected to bring the windfall she's been hoping for. With the eccentric Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich) as trainer, Big Red is supposed to race from victory to victory under the name Secretariat. But even if the bill seems to work out at the beginning, Penny always encounters resistance in the male-dominated racing circus. And even her own husband (Dylan Walsh) lacks the necessary support. But Penny doesn't let that deter her. She believes in herself and in Secretariat - and in doing so, makes history...

Secretariat - A Horse Becomes Legend is a beautiful family film that thrives on its compelling cast and wonderful camerawork. The story of Secretariat, who was voted the 35th best athlete of the 20th century by American sports network ESPN, and his owner Penny Chenery Tweedy, who is an extra in one scene of the film, has of course been worked up by Randall Wallace in the best Disney manner. There's plenty of pathos, morality and heart. Yet the film never degenerates into a maudlin tearjerker, always retaining that certain magic that comes from the real-life background.

Diane Lane is just great as a housewife holding her own in a male domain. She's only trumped by John Malkovich, who delivers a delightful performance as a moody coach with a penchant for tasteful hats. Even his first appearance, in which Lucien tries his hand at golf as a newly retired man, is one of the humorous highlights of the film. While Lane and Malkovich are supported by numerous great supporting actors, such as James Cromwell and Scott Glenn, it is the two leads who save this entertaining story even over the more worn moments.

Secretariat - A Horse Becomes a Legend is a typical American success story and therefore also a typical American film. Even if that rather diminishes the chances of galloping to victory in Germany as well, the film does not become less worth seeing as a result. If you like solid family entertainment with heart, wit, suspense and great racing sequences, you can safely saddle up here! Worth seeing

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp