SECRETARIAT

RYAN: I had mixed feelings walking into this film and I have mixed feelings walking out.

CAROLINE: You walked out?

RYAN: After it ended, yes.

CAROLINE: Why so mixed?

RYAN: A horse is a horse, of course… This movie is confusing because it’s really like a Lifetime TV movie with a bigger budget and better casting.

CAROLINE: Yeah it looks like cheesy Disney fare.

RYAN: And it doesn’t know who it’s audience is. It’s Disney but it’s all about a middle aged woman; like a coming of age or midlife crisis story. And I was surprised last week when a lot of the radio stations we talked to expressed a lot of interest from dudes.

CAROLINE: Yeah that was random.

RYAN: Maybe it’s a gambling thing or a horse thing but this movie is really about a strong woman against all odds.

CAROLINE: I like Diane Lane. How was she?

RYAN: She outperformed her wig, that’s for sure.

CAROLINE: [laughs’ Her hair does look a bit tragic in this. And what about John Malkovich?

RYAN: He’s great. He plays the delicate, humorous role of the horse trainer – he’s very flamboyant and it could have been a train wreck but he’s great. A lot of his role is in the costuming. Many a joke at the expense of his hats.

CAROLINE: Oh brother.

RYAN: The horse race scenes are incredibly well done. And although this is based on a true story and we know what’s going to happen, the stakes still feel very real and high. I loved those moments.

CAROLINE: What about the rest of the movie?

RYAN: The rest is kind of melodramatic. I hate to say it but it’s not Diane’s best work. And I love a strong woman as much as the next gay but she’s a little too self-aware in this one.

CAROLINE: That’s a problem.

— BOTTOM LINE —

RYAN: Though it’s at times intense and emotional, it’s not really the kind of movie you have to see on the big screen. I think the same effect would happen at home, so I’d say it’s more of a rental.

— RATING —