Based on the remarkable true story, “Secretariat” chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. Against all odds, housewife and mother Penny Chenery (Diane Lane)—with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich)—navigates the male-dominated horse-racing business, ultimately taking Secretariat on a spectacular journey to become the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and perhaps the greatest racehorse of all time.

This summer, Elizabeth and I were invited to a preview of Secretariat in NYC. I loved it! Diane Lane was wonderful in the role of Penny Chenery and struck the perfect balance of strong, confident business woman and warm and supportive mother and wife. The movie gives you 2 perspectives as it takes you along Penny’s amazing journey; one that not only culminated in a triple crown winner but a first for women! It recounts the incredible true story of Secretariat and tells for the first time, the story of the woman behind the horse, giving you a real look at her internal struggle as she tries to deal with a new demanding job, mother’s guilt and the tension it causes in her marriage. A truly relate-able and inspiring story for all women, especially mothers. John Malkovich is brilliant as Lucien, the foul-mouth eccentric French-Canadian and trainer of Secretariat. These 2 characters had me laughing and crying alternatively throughout the entire movie and bravo to Mark Ciardi who literally had me on the edge of my seat. I needed to keep reminding myself that I knew the end. That’s movie magic!

So seldom do we all have the opportunity to go a movie that features a housewife as hero in an inspiring story of courage and grace. A movie where mom really makes it happen – 2 thumbs up from me!

Here is the trailer...