SECRETARIAT

I went to the theatre prepared to force myself to stay awake through one of Hollywood’s traditional “heartwarming, feel good” movies; instead, I got Diane Lane in a tour de force performance.
This was a really good production. All the elements are present in this film: comedy, drama, suspense, love, they all share center stage as this tale unfolds.
I did not expect this film to dig as deep as it did into explaining how all the chips had to fall into place to get this horse from a colt barely able to stand, to being the fastest race horse in history. Diane Lane brings the dominant player in this saga to life as she portrays, Penny Tweedy, a woman on a mission in a man’s world.
John Malkovich provides his standard great performance in support of Ms. Lane.
One way to tell you have experienced a fine movie is in the drive home – when you ask yourself how the film could have been better and you can’t answer that question.
Once again, Secretariat is in the Winner’s Circle.
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WHO KNEW ?
IN 1972, IN NEW YORK, I ATTENDED THE FIRST RACE SECRETARIAT EVER LOSS. MY FRIEND, DONNIE BLACK BET ON SECRETARIAT TO WIN - THE HORSE
HAD A TREMENDOUS WRITE UP IN THE RACE TRACK NEWSPAPER THAT DAY. I HAVE OFTEN REMINDED DONNIE, IF HE STILL HAD THAT LOSING TICKET, IT WOULD BE A VALUABLE COLLECTOR'S ITEM, WORTH MORE THAN A WINNING TICKET WOULD BE - WINNING TICKETS WERE COMMON FOR THIS HORSE.