Cast
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Diane Lane
as Penny Chenery
John Malkovich
as Lucien Laurin
Scott Glenn
as Chris Chenery
Dylan Walsh
as Jack Tweedy
Fred Thompson
as Bull Hancock
Margo Martindale
as Miss Ham
Nelsan Ellis
as Eddie Sweat
James Cromwell
as Ogden Phipps
Otto Thorwarth
as Ronnie Turcotte
Michael Harding
as E.V. Benjamin
Richard Fullerton
as Robert Kleburg
Tim Ware
as John Galbreath
Nestor Serrano
as Pancho Martin
Keith Austin
as Laffit Pincay
Kevin Connolly
as Bill Nack
Crew
Director
- Randall Wallace
Producer
- Mark Ciardi
- Gordon Gray
Reviews
Andres Gomez
Quite decent story telling. Not too big pretensions and nice performance from a well chosen cast.
The story is quite stereotypical but it is well done.
Nov 24, 2014
r96sk
I thoroughly enjoyed the performances of Diane Lane and John Malkovich, the film itself may not match those two but it still makes for a pleasant time.
This is another sports drama from Disney and another film about horses, of which they have been a fair amount down the decades from the studio. It fails to reach the (very) high levels of 1976's <em>'The Littlest Horse Thieves'</em> and 1991's <em>'Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken'</em>.
However, with that noted, <em>'Secretariat'</em> still produces a fine time. Lane and Malkovich are very good together, Lane particularly stands out. Margo Martindale is involved once more, playing a sweet and lovely character as she always does - she's perfect for those roles. Nice to see James Cromwell, also.
The cinematography is solid, as is the pacing of events. It does feel a little light of serious story at times, but that's hard to avoid when you're dealing with something as interesting but repetitive as horse racing. In the end, it's a nice story about Secretariat and Penny Chenery.
Nov 10, 2020
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Secretariat examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Randall Wallace brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2010, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Secretariat took approximately 3 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $35.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 123 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 172 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 6 weeks before filming began.
- The film contains approximately 1018 individual shots.
- The musical score contains over 49 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 2010, when this film is released:
- Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Secretariat shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Walk the Line, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Secretariat offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Breaking the Waves and Shershaah explore similar territory, Secretariat stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: August 20, 2010
- Runtime: 2h 3m
- Budget: $35,000,000
- Revenue: $60,300,000
Where to Watch
