Secretariat: The Movie, Whoa!

[saratoga guy]

Originally Posted by GBBob

But..everything you are critical of the general population either a) Won't know or B) Will eat it up.

I'm critical that it feels in tone, content and quality, like a Lifetime TV movie. The racing gaffes I could easily overlook - if the story and direction were strong. They weren't -- at least for me.

I'm with you in hoping the movie does well and provides some decent exposure for the sport. The timing could dovetail nicely with BC promotional efforts.

But, for me, the movie was a "miss". Mildly entertaining at best. And it "missed" in ways that even the general public will be aware of.

We'll see...

[Merlinsky]

Here are a couple links I thought you guys would find interesting:

Talking about Oscar buzz: http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/can-...rites/#respond I love that, to woo Diane Lane to play Penny, the director met her for lunch with a dozen red roses and told her he did it because that's what they give you when you win the Derby. Smooth.

The studio's testing for Secretariat is near the highest they've ever gotten. It really does sound like critics have decided the movie is this year's feel good story to get Oscar buzz. I have heard buzz for Diane Lane, and she's on several lists, so congratulations are in order for her.

Roger Ebert gives Secretariat 4 stars: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/...IEWS/101009986 He's a friend of Bill Nack, the "suggestee"(?) of the film's tale, but he didn't have to give it that high a mark for a pal. Could've done 3 stars. He did 4 and meant it.

Now I realize there are issues that people have with points of the movie, but I really don't think the audience will care who was or wasn't at the birth of Secretariat. There may not have been a 'performance clause,' but hey, it creates drama. The heart size should've been mentioned because I really think the fans would've gotten that metaphorically even if they don't get the idea of heart/lung capacity making a difference. It sounds impressive. As Steve mentioned earlier this week on ATR (maybe with Davidowitz, I can't remember), Keeneland is a beautiful track. It's not Belmont, but it's cinematic in it's own right. Did NYRA not let them use actual Belmont? Was it too expensive? I have the distinct impression that Malkovich is playing Malkovich, not Lucian Laurin, but if he plays himself well, I can enjoy the movie anyway. I can't see it til Sunday as I'll be out of town, but I'm looking forward to it. Godspeed, Big Red.

[randallscott35]

I'm happy it's a good movie. Think I will wait for DVD for ease.

[saratoga guy]

As noted earlier - I found it only "mildly entertaining", and I'd really be shocked if it pulled in much in the way of Oscar noms..

BUT, that said, again I'm rooting for the movie and I agree with what NTRA prez Waldrop had to say in a mass emailing today:

"If you feel, as I do, that even more movies should be made about great horses like Secretariat and his unforgettable owner Penny Chenery, then seeing the movie this weekend would be an excellent way to convey that message to Hollywood, which puts a lot of stock in the opening week performance of its releases."

In other words - IF YOU'RE PLANNING TO SEE THE MOVIE, OPENING WEEKEND IS THE TIME THAT YOUR $$$ WILL REGISTER THE BIGGEST BOX OFFICE PUNCH AND SEND A MESSAGE THAT RACING MOVIES CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by saratoga guy

As noted earlier - I found it only "mildly entertaining", and I'd really be shocked if it pulled in much in the way of Oscar noms..

BUT, that said, again I'm rooting for the movie and I agree with what NTRA prez Waldrop had to say in a mass emailing today:

"If you feel, as I do, that even more movies should be made about great horses like Secretariat and his unforgettable owner Penny Chenery, then seeing the movie this weekend would be an excellent way to convey that message to Hollywood, which puts a lot of stock in the opening week performance of its releases."

In other words - IF YOU'RE PLANNING TO SEE THE MOVIE, OPENING WEEKEND IS THE TIME THAT YOUR $$$ WILL REGISTER THE BIGGEST BOX OFFICE PUNCH AND SEND A MESSAGE THAT RACING MOVIES CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

If you really think about it, they probably should hope that some die hard racing fans stay away from it, because they are going to be the most critical about it. You would think that many of the people are going to complain about footage being filmed at other tracks than the original and elements of the story that are exaggerated or wrong. If anything there is a chance that they will talk people out of going to see the film.
If this film is going to do any damage at the box office, they are going to need mainstream America's support. But even if they kill it this weekend, what possible racing movie would they really consider doing?

[saratoga guy]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

If you really think about it, they probably should hope that some die hard racing fans stay away from it, because they are going to be the most critical about it.

Even the racing pundits that have written about the film over the past few weeks have been mostly forgiving of the racing gaffes - at least so far as recognizing that the changes have been made in service to a Disney-fied story. I believe big box office numbers on opening weekend will trump any critiques offered by racing fans.

Originally Posted by MaTH716

But even if they kill it this weekend, what possible racing movie would they really consider doing?

The possibilities are virtually infinite. Don't get caught into thinking that only "true" stories will be fodder for future movies. Most movies are pure fiction -- and fiction based at the racetrack is ripe for exploiting by Hollywood (I'm looking forward to the HBO series "Luck").

[Phalaris1913]

I have read a review that suggested there was an "underdog" element to the movie. Is this true? If so, what did they have to do to contrive "underdog"-ness either for Secretariat himself or his connections?

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

If you really think about it, they probably should hope that some die hard racing fans stay away from it, because they are going to be the most critical about it. You would think that many of the people are going to complain about footage being filmed at other tracks than the original and elements of the story that are exaggerated or wrong. If anything there is a chance that they will talk people out of going to see the film.
If this film is going to do any damage at the box office, they are going to need mainstream America's support. But even if they kill it this weekend, what possible racing movie would they really consider doing?

one on zenyatta!

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Danzig

one on zenyatta!

Then Ebert and company could get death threats when they call the plot unimaginative and cowardly.

[chucklestheclown]

Originally Posted by saratoga guy

I'm with you in hoping the movie does well and provides some decent exposure for the sport. The timing could dovetail nicely with BC promotional efforts.

God. That would be great.