Like my opinion matters... Secretariat (movie review)

Writing a movie review after almost everyone has already seen a movie probably isn't that helpful.  However, after a LONG drought of no movies that I even wanted to see, all of a sudden there was a bunch and it took a while to catch up.  So, you probably already saw the movie and have your own opinion, but on the slim chance there may be some readers (if I have any readers...)  that haven't seen it or are still waiting to decide whether you should add this to your Netflix queue, this post is for you... and really for me since I use it to remember what I have been doing too. 

I'll cut thru the chase and start off by saying that I loved this movie!  And, I loved that it was based on real life.  And, I loved that there were messages in it that apply to all of us and that we can learn from.  I have to admit that I was on the edge of my seat a little during the Triple Crown races, even though I KNEW the outcome and actually remember when Secretariat won the Triple Crown.  I had no idea about the strategy of winning the race and his pulling out from the other horses and winning by such a large margin at such a long distance-or any idea of everything that was involved in saving the horse, and the farm, and making it possible for Secretariat to race in the first place. 

One thing I learned was that you can franchise, basically sell, shares in  breeding rights for champion race horses.  If you can raise $6 million for a race horse, I wonder what I could have gotten by selling shares in my sweet little cats at home.  Something I definitely should have been thinking about before I took away their rights to reproduce at all.  Opportunity and retirement nest egg lost, I think...  Actually, I can hardly imagine taking a risk on this like Penny did in the movie.  First, it was a bold idea and a risky move and then she was so committed that she talked investors into putting their own money into the possibility that Secretariat would win the Triple Crown-- something that hadn't been done by any horse in years and some were saying could never be done again.  I always love a strong woman character in a movie, particularly one that trusts herself and goes after her dreams no matter what! 

Ok-- get ready for the slightly preachy part...  I also loved the message "you've got to run your own race"-- a message that was given to Penny by her father in a flashback scene and then something she truly acted upon thru-out the story on multiple levels including with the horse and also with her oldest daughter who was involved in the protest movement of the 70's.  Don't know that I would have supported a child that looked a little hippy-ish and was marching in protest marches and stuff... But, Penny knew the importance of running your own race and doing what is important to you and supported that in others.  I loved Penny's connection with the horse and her ability to sense what he was ready for and what he could really do. 

While running our own races might not result in a winning race horse or a hit movie for most of us, it sure is an important part of learning to live your own life and accomplish your dreams.  So... get out there and

Run your own race !!