Tears, cheers, and mixed reviews

One of our good-natured readers has invited me to weigh in on the film of “Seabiscuit” that both Deacon and Rocket Man have previously discussed. I haven’t seen the movie yet and am certain in any event that I can’t improve on what they had to say, but today’s New York Times Arts & Leisure section carries an interesting piece by novelist and racehorse owner (“Darlin’ Corey”) Jane Smiley on the movie. Smiley attended a fundraising preview of the film before a professional racing crowd at the restaurant formerly owned by Seabiscuit jockey George Woolf. Smiley relates the reactions of that audience to the film: “Playing the horses (and the horse people, too).”