Not a Film Review: Final Scene of Secretariat

Designed for ultimate suspense then joy, there is silence except for the voice of Penny Chenery (Diane Lane):

"He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing. He does not shy away from the sword. He cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds." (Video-spoiler)

And, into the final stretch comes my generation's greatest race horse, Secretariat. At the first note of Oh, Happy Day*, I'm a sniffling puddle of tears. Every single time I pause the remote on Starz to watch this scene, I lose it.

The race was won June 9, 1973. I was a first semester sophomore at a women's college and was going to summer school. It was my sister's birthday so I probably saw family that day. Whether I watched the actual race or saw it on the news, I really don't remember. The country was coming out of a violent decade of change and the big guys had won. Everyone was too tired to fight anymore. Maybe we needed something to pull us together as a country and that came to us in a horse's individualism and spirit.

I believe it is the "Everyman" story, the recognition of a spirit that is nurtured and overcame the odds and naysayers. It is the striving to excellence because of one's ability, but also because of someone's unconditional love, unwavering confidence, and encouragement to run their race. Ding. Ding. Ding. The still unhealed wound of not having that as a child equals tears. Boring to you, I know, but I don't cry at movies so I have to over-examine the reason.

That said, I resisted seeing this film because: 1) it was a Disney film, and 2) I didn't think it could come close to the film, Seabiscuit. Yet, in my humble opinion, Diane Lane is one of the best actresses of my generation and I try to see her act whenever I can. She has not received the accolades she deserves but maybe that is a good thing. Many actresses seem to fade into oblivion after winning the golden statue. Or, maybe that is the difference in an artist/actor and a celebrity. I consider Diane Lane an artist/actor.

If Aretha Franklin believes Halle Berry should play her in a biopic and Elton John thinks Justin Timberlake should play him, then I don't see why I can't chose Diane Lane to play me should I ever do anything worth filming. The entire story could be told in her facial expressions and body language; she is just that good.

*This video shows the original footage from Belmont at 3:15.