Writer/Director: Gary Ross
Starring: Elizabeth Banks, Chris Cooper and Tobey Maguire
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors have made movies audiences treasure like Chris Cooper. Ever since his rise to fame during the 1990’s, Cooper has made unforgettable movies. Whether it’s disturbed screenwriters, homophobic fathers or lonely police officers, Cooper has portrayed several strong characters. Arguably, Cooper’s finest strength as an actor is his bravery. He is one of those rare actors that has never been afraid of taking risks in his career playing complicated characters that aren’t often likeable. Through his willingness to take risks, Cooper has been an actor that audiences value. An actor with a powerful commitment to his craft, Cooper has become an icon in entertainment. Despite the fact that he has reached an age of retirement, Cooper hasn’t lost his ability to make engaging entertainment. Throughout a powerful career, Cooper has made several memorable movies which are definitely worth taking about without a single doubt.
I’m a big fan of Cooper and adore all the films which he has created in his career. However, “Seabiscuit” is my favourite. Released in 2003, Gary Ross’ movie offered a stirring tribute to a celebrated race horse. Packed with stunning production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best sports movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Chris Cooper, who portrays a dedicated horse trainer seeking to win an intense competition. Ultimately, what makes “Seabiscuit” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most horse movies, it tackles relatable themes that everyone will relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about value of teamwork which would definitely resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing masterpiece about race horses, there are several strong reasons why “Seabiscuit” is a great movie that is worth seeing.
Based on the inspiring true story, “Seabiscuit” follows a race horse embarking on a journey to achieve victory. Chris Cooper plays Tom Smith, a dedicated trainer which has a love for racing horses he has grown to treasure. Tom shares a powerful bond with his horse Seabiscuit, whom he values highly. When he is given the chance to pension his horse for a race by businessman Charles Howard (Jeff Bridges), Tom’s dream of fame comes true. However, Tom’s life forever changes when his horse becomes involved in a dangerous disaster. Facing injuries that prove to be life-threatening, Seabiscuit is in danger of dying. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Tom begins to wonder whether he can ever become a successful horse trainer. Faced with a dilemma during the Depression era, Tom questions whether it’s possible for his horse to survive a competition which causes trauma.
Gary Ross is a newcomer towards stories of race horses. Before he made “Seabiscuit”, Ross had never created a movie about racing horses before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of horse trainers seeking victory but he succeeded immensely. Through captivating cinematography, Ross captures race horses embarking on journeys to overcome adversity. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes as entertaining as horse races which trainers are determined to organize. Ross expertly uses handheld camera to capture race horse facing tense competition in the Depression era. For instance, handheld camerawork enhances the horse race scene. During this unforgettable scene, Tom engages in a nerve-wracking horse race which causes tension. One appreciates handheld cameras capturing tensions that horse trainers seeking to train are facing. Handheld camerawork is a complicated technique to use in films. As Doug Liman’s “The Bourne Identity” suggested, the handheld camera elevates classic action films about spies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through engaging visuals, Ross captures tense hardships which horse trainers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Seabiscuit” that merits appreciation is the production design. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive race horse films ever made. Inspired by Hugh Hudson’s “Chariots of Fire”, Ross effectively uses real-life locales across the United States to capture tensions which horse trainers are facing. Throughout the film, Ross deftly uses training locales to capture the tensions horses are facing. For instance, the training locales elevate the Seabiscuit horse scene. During this unforgettable scene, Red feels the joy of riding Seabiscuit for the first time discovering beauty of the animal. One appreciates training locales capturing tension that horse trainers are facing. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Randy Newman’s commemorated music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that determined horse trainers bear. Through phenomenal production design, Ross captures the lives of commemorated horse trainers which decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Seabiscuit” is a movie which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses voice-over narration to capture horse trainers facing tension. Throughout the film, Tom expressed worldviews on race horses using narration. For instance, the narration elevates the opening scene. During this bold scene, Tom expresses his strong worldviews on race horses facing tension through voice-over narration. Through this clever technique, Ross creates a compelling character which audiences can easily relate to. Narration is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” suggested, narration elevates films about prison. Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” demonstrated, narration enhances dramas about Wall Street stockbrokers. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Through a superb screenplay, Ross captures horse trainers in tense competitions facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Chris Cooper delivers one of his finest career performances as Tom Smith. Cooper earned appreciation for playing frustrated writers in dramas. With “Seabiscuit”, however, the actor took on his most challenging role. It isn’t easy to portray a horse trainer that seeks to guide horses toward great victory but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, frustration and strong dedication of a horse trainer seeking to win a tense race causing catastrophe. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most celebrated actors that is currently working in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Chris Cooper, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Tobey Maguire is magnificent, capturing the strong dedication of a jockey seeking to guide a horse he has grown to admire. Jeff Bridges is stellar, bringing a strong sense of authority towards a businessman seeking to achieve victories in a competition causing tragedy. Lastly, Elizabeth Banks merits appreciation. As a woman with a love for commemorated horses, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Seabiscuit” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing horse trainers that face tension. Unlike most films about horses, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including career, identity and animal cruelty which would strike a chord with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with horse trainers to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message regarding determination which would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Seabiscuit” is one of those rare commemorated movies about race horses which everyone will adore.
Fans of Chris Cooper will definitely appreciate “Seabiscuit” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating sport classic, it honours a terrific actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking sports film about horses moving at the speed of lightning trained by dedicated coaches to achieve victories that are inspiring, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has manufactured an enduring legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray compelling characters in captivating movies which are definitely worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 