Seabiscuit: Six decades later, he's still a winner
by Kurt Epps
It's a classic formula that never fails: movies that make you laugh and cry are the ones you never forget. That doesn't necessarily mean they're going to be blockbusters in today's classiness-challenged culture, especially if there are not a lot of explosions, chase scenes, vulgarity or explicit sex.
Which, perhaps, is the reason Seabiscuit should be mandatory viewing in all schools. More than ever, our young people need to be exposed to a story that uplifts rather than degrades, where adversity is something to be overcome, not used as an excuse for victimhood; a movie that stirs the soul rather than the libido. Such is the story of Seabiscuit; what's more, it's true.
Set--and lovingly shot--in the late 1920's, a time when America was fulfilling her great promise of prosperity for those with the guts to follow their dreams, Seabiscuit is the story of the convergence of three separate lives (or four, if you count the colt, too). The Crash of '29 acts as the fateful catalyst that affects those lives in ways they would never have imagined. Narrated in parts by David McCullough, the movie often has the feel of a documentary--which it is. But McCullough's voice-overs lend a special sense of authenticity to the story.
The main characters are a wealthy--but honest and always upbeat-- car dealer (Jeff Bridges) who began as a bicycle repairman; a hardtack, honest cowboy (Chriss Cooper) who watches his way of life slipping away, and a lanky, scrappy kid (Tobey Maguire) with a natural knack for horses and for getting into prizefights he can't win.
Then there's Seabiscuit himself-- a once-incorrigible horse whose statue graces the entrance to the Santa Anita racetrack to this day, appropriate homage to racing's all-time money winner and the track he made famous.
In a memorable scene, Biscuit's trainer watches the colt and the kid fighting off harassers at opposite ends of the paddock, and the light bulb goes off that they were made for each other. History shows he was right.
But more importantly, the film shows the symbiotic relationship among all four participants in this welcome summer fairy tale, a relationship bound together by honesty, goodness and an indomitable American optimism and drive that was just what America needed back in 1938.
Apparently, it's just what America needs in 2003, too, because the packed house audience laughed, gasped, groaned and applauded exactly when they were supposed to. The long-awaited battle between War Admiral--the decade's superhorse--and Seabiscuit was a microcosmic morality play that pitted the privileged against the peons, and you can guess who the audience sides with.
That's the success of Seabiscuit. It makes the average guy feel he can do whatever he wants--if he's willing to work and fight hard to overcome obstacles that life throws his way. All four major characters could have easily drowned in self-pity and become victims of their circumstances--some of which were absolutely crushing--but they did not.
It's a message our young people--and all Americans--should see and hear.
Before we forget what being American is all about.
The true story of a legendary race horse that overcame all the odds to win the triple crown. The owner, trainer and jockey were all underdogs that shi...More at HotMovieSale.com
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