US
Drama
Feature film
2003

---

I'm a sucker for horse-race movies. I'm also a sucker for the underdog story. Given that Seabiscuit is both, I was expecting it to be a slam-dunk for me. I wasn't disappointed.

The heart of the story is about not listening to what "common knowledge" tells you about your ability, your chances, or your place in the world. Seabiscuit was a small horse, but he had heart and legs and bested the taller, richer opposition time and again. Red, the jockey, was half-blind, had too much attitude, but became Seabiscuit's best jockey.

After their great victory against the rich rival (War Admiral), both Red and Seabiscuit became crippled by leg injuries. Told they could never race again, Seabiscuit and Red worked hard to overcome their injuries and came back to win another race, again giving a world caught in the depression the power of hope.

I don't know that Seabiscuit is Oscar-worthy for best picture, given the competition, but it certainly is a feel-good movie that's fun to watch.