Secretariat is being billed as the “Feel good movie of the year” and “The next Blindside”. While I agree it is definitely a “feel good” movie, I wouldn’t quite rank it up there with” The Blindside”. The story is very inspiring and uplifting but I don’t think it moves you to action like “The Blindside” did. The storyline moves smoothly through the film and is well paced. The soundtrack is perfect and the cinematography is at times breathtaking. I am not a horse person, nor am I a big fan of animal films but Secretariat is a sports film…that stars a horse and its owner.

The horses that play Secretariat are beautiful, strong, majestic and graceful. Diane Lane plays Penny Chenery with a perfect mix of loving wife and mother as well as savvy business woman with a big heart and a strong desire to succeed. The character of Penny Chenery also struggles greatly with what we moms now call work-life balance. Unlike many other reviews I’ve read, I wasn’t as excited about John Malkovich’s portrayal of Lucien Lauren. Malkovich did a good job with the comedic relief but I didn’t feel the depth and heart of Lauren ring through.

Nelsan Ellis was endearing as Eddie Sweat, the groom and his depth and heart made up for some of what was missing in Malkovich’s character. I found the character of Ron Turcotte, Secretariat’s jockey, spunky and endearing and today as I was researching the actor who played that part, Otto Thorwarth, I found out he isn’t an actor at all! He is a professional jockey with over 1300 wins under his belt! No wonder he looked so comfortable on a horse!

The story of Secretariat is history, not just a feel good story. Parents, even if your kids don’t have a clue about the story of one of the world’s greatest athletes, they should see this movie. The themes of determination, family and risk taking are inspiring. The movie is rated PG for death, tense family situations, brief mild language. I feel this movie is appropriate for most children ages 8 and up.

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