Secretariat: Engaging family film from Disney

Written by Mark Schumann, Father of Three
Thursday, 14 October 2010 09:39

Each week, the Reel Dad checks the nutritional value of a movie — new or classic — to help parents choose what to watch with their children. This week’s pick is a new film from Disney, Secretariat.

We rely, as parents, on the Disney brand to deliver nutritious films.

While the animated features from the studio are usually reliable, the live-action films can be a mixed bag, with silly comedies often mixed with overdone dramas on a confusing menu.

Fortunately, Secretariat — based on a true story about a race horse considered by many to be the greatest ever on the track — avoids most of the family movie pitfalls in its authentic, stylish telling of the story behind the legendary competitor. And if we already know what happens on the race track in 1973, director Randall Wallace builds in enough excitement to keep our attention. Of course, this is a Disney film where most everyone does live happily ever after.

The story is, actually, vintage Disney. And if it hadn’t actually happened, someone at the studio probably would have thought it up.

When her mother dies, and her elderly father begins to fail, a mother of four must come to terms with her heritage and her ambition. She was raised, in Virginia, in the world of race horsing. It’s in her blood. But she lives, with her family, in Colorado at a time when people did not travel as often as they do today, nor did women frequently compete with men in leading businesses. So when she decides to put everything on the line — including her financial security and inheritance from her father — to prepare a horse to race for the Triple Crown, this brave lady confronts her destiny and follows her instinct. And each time the horse is in a race, she pictures herself crossing the finish line, too.

Yes, the story is predictable, and the outcome is generally known. What is most interesting here is the change in the owner, as she evolves from a shy mother to an outspoken horse owner; the multi-layered working relationship with the horse’s trainer; and the dynamics of the family she temporarily leaves behind to pursue her dream.

While Director Randall Wallace never confuses what is original with what is proven, avoids as many visual clichés as possible in telling the story and focuses, instead, on the credible performances of the cast. Diane Lane is, no surprise, marvelous as the owner, delivering a canny and creative performance that fully projects the many dimensions of this larger-than-life character. John Malkovich has a great time as the horse’s trainer and Margo Martindale steals just about every scene she is in as the elderly father’s secretary who gives the horse his name.

Of course, the film is reminiscent of Seabiscuit a few years back, especially in the sense of struggle and the horse’s ultimate strength. And while that film focused on the horse, this keeps the camera on the people, especially the always magnetic Lane. This is Disney, after all, the one studio in town where animals always seem to know their place (as well as their lines).

Some purists may complain, actually, because the film is from Disney and, in its transition has been simplified. As parents we can be glad for that. The Disney brand symbolizes entertainment we can rely on. And this classic story of family struggle, and an independent woman and a sensational horse, add up to a five-course meal at the movies that Walt Disney would have loved.

 

Film Nutritional Value:

Secretariat

* Content: High. The film offers a thorough, if predictable, review of the stunning success of Secretariat in the horse racing world and the lady owner who made it happen.

* Entertainment: High. This Disney-produced drama is everything the studio would hope a family film would be: accessible, attractive and moving. Hopefully, people will take a close look and choose Secretariat for family viewing.

* Message: High. The film offers a meaningful moral, that, if you pursue your dreams, and follow your instincts, you can accomplish amazing feats.

* Relevance: High. While the horse racing world of Virginia in the early 1970s is many years ago, the opportunity to focus on family dynamics, and how families react to change, can begin a meaningful conversation.

* Opportunity for Dialogue: High. While the Disney view the world does sugarcoat some obviously tense issues, the overall approach to the film offers many topics to discuss with your children.

 

(Secretariat is rated PG and is appropriate for all ages. It runs 116 minutes.)

3 Popcorn Buckets