While I was expecting a poor-man's "Seabiscuit," I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed "Secretariat." While I am too young to actually remember the true-life events depicted in the film, or know enough about horseracing to have heard of the Triple Crown winning horse before this film, I was intrigued enough by the story to go along for the emotional ride. Much like other Disney sport movies, this film is more about the time the great event took place in than the event itself. Much like how "The Miracle" was set to the backdrop of the Cold War, this film is set to the backdrop of the Woman's Liberation Movement and uses the film's main character, racehorse owner Penny Chenery (Diane Lane), as a metaphor for that time in history. The movie is filled with colorful characters and excellent performances from great veteran actors like Diane Lane and John Malkovich. The race scenes in the film are shot beautifully by cinematographer Dean Semler ("The Road Warrior") and make the excitement of the track jump off the screen.

The film begins by introducing us to ordinary housewife Penny Chenery (Diane Lane), as she finds out that her mother has just passed away. She and her family travel to Virginia to her ailing father's horse farm for the funeral. When she realizes that her father can no longer take care of the place by himself, she decides to stay on and help for a while. After Penny helps engineer a horse breeding that she believes will birth the perfect racehorse, she attempts to hire veteran horse trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich). But after a string of embarrassing loses Laurin has retired from the sport. She eventually convinces the famously flamboyant dresser to come back to the sport and they are both amazed when "Big Red" is born. The horse shows potential almost at birth and Penny decides to dedicate herself to making him into a winner by staying in Virginia, which builds tension with her children and husband.

Once the horse, now called Secretariat starts winning, things begin to change. But when Penny realizes that she is running out of money to continue, she makes the bet of a lifetime. She practically guarantees to several investors that Secretariat will win the Triple Crown, something that hasn't been done in over twenty-five years. If they are willing to invest now, she will give them the horse's future stud rights but in order to earn the kind of money she needs to continue, Secretariat will have to go all the way or she'll loose the money. While the horse appears to be unstoppable at first, the road to the Triple Crown is a rocky one and Penny's team will have to over come many obstacles along the way. As history is made on the racetrack it is also made in real life as Penny breaks into the "boys club" and takes the world of racing by storm. In the process not only does she earn the love and respect of her family but also the attention of the world.

John Malkovich is absolutely hilarious in the movie and seems to be really enjoying the outrageous clothes that his character wears, which includes ascots, bow ties and funny hats. He seems to be having fun with the role and his trademark slow and sarcastic style fits the role perfectly. Diane Lane gives an excellent performance and reminded me a little bit of Sandra Bullock from her Oscar winning performance in another sports movie, last year's "The Blind Side," although I don't think that this performance will earn Lane any gold. She has a commanding presence and fills out the role of Penny well. It was also nice to see great veteran actors in the cast like James Cromwell ("The Queen"), Scott Glenn ("Silence Of The Lambs") and Fred Thompson ("The Line Of Fire") as well as strong younger actors like Nelsan Ellis ("True Blood"), Kevin Connolly ("Entourage") and Dylan Walsh ("Nip/Tuck"). In particular character actress Margo Martindale ("Dead Man Walking") was especially delightful as Penny's father's long-time secretary.

While the acting is good and the story is moving, it is the beautifully shot horse races that make the film worth seeing. Randall Wallace ("The Man In The Iron Mask") directs the racing scenes with flair and energy and you really can feel the excitement of those famous reenacted races. But the films works best when the relatable, human moments come through along with the wonderful racing scenes. When Lane's Penny looks into the eyes of Big Red she is actually looking into her own soul and deciding if she has what it takes to continue on this journey, while the horse is deciding if he is worthy enough to have an owner as loving as Penny. When Secretariat wins his first race, the excitement is palpable and you can see it in the performances of the actors. In the end, Secretariat is a strong film that stands on its own and is not just a recycled version of "Seabiscuit."