Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003
Seabiscuit
It's all right for cinephiles to enjoy films like this. But they're not supposed to appreciate them. We disagree. Writer-director Gary Ross's adaptation of Laura Hillenbrand's best selling book is beautiful to look at, faithful to its source's honest, upbeat emotions and maybe the most joyful and satisfying night at the movies 2003 had to offer. It also reminds us that Depression-era America, whatever its flaws, had a secular hopefulness, a generosity of spirit, that is sadly lacking in Bushland.