{image1}To call "Seabiscuit" a "must see" seems too clichéd and almost expected. Yet, put it up against nearly any major Hollywood release in the past 10 years and "instant classic" status is a solid bet.
Starring Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Elizabeth Banks, Chris Cooper and William H. Macy, "Seabiscuit" is directed by Oscar nominee Gary Ross, writer of the critically acclaimed blockbusters "Big" and "Dave" and producer/writer/director of "Pleasantville." Ross, an avid racing enthusiast, also wrote the script.
It's the inspirational tale of teamwork by three men -- a "too tall" jockey, a "back woods" trainer and a "always optimistic and looking to the future" businessman -- and the title racehorse that took them and our Depression-era nation on the ride of a lifetime.
The film is based on the book by Laura Hillenbrand, and set in the 1930s, with excellent attention to detail and narration (period-style newsreels) throughout that helps to put the viewer in the era and provide necessary background info vital to understanding the magnitude of the horse's run.
While Tobey Maguire provides a surely to be called "coming of age" performance as the jockey who never stops working and believing, it is Jeff Bridges, who plays businessman Charles Howard, who easily secures himself an Oscar nomination.
Put simply, I loved this movie. It grabs you, never lets go and builds with a classic authenticity and story that thankfully doesn't stoop to typical Hollywood crap that ruins so many of today's movies. It's a film with global appeal, passion and enthusiasm. Randy Newman's powerful music coupled with amazing close-ups make the race scenes stunning and captivating. You'll want to and have to cheer. And with a running time of 2:20, the film races by but ends before it begins to linger.
Seabiscuit was the number-one newsmaker in 1938 and the movie chronicles not only why, but how. The businessman's creative use of the media, the jockey's command of literature and trainer's knowledge all contribute to the creation of a national hero and buzz that puts today's sad promotion of "winners" like "American Idol" to shame. This is a story that makes winning collaborative, exciting, risky and worth all the losing that it takes to make it to the Winner's Circle.
I'll take the odds that "Seabiscuit" is movie of the year. You'll follow my bet, I guarantee.
"Seabiscuit," rated PG-13, opens in Milwaukee on Fri., July 25.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
