Secretariat
Performance & Direction: Secretariat Review
Last updated: February 15, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Secretariat (2010) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Secretariat features a noteworthy lineup led by Diane Lane . Supported by the likes of John Malkovich and Scott Glenn , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Secretariat
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2010, Secretariat is a Drama film directed by Randall Wallace. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Diane Lane.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. Housewife and mother Penny Chenery agrees to take over her ailing father's Virginia-based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge. Against all odds, Chenery - with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin - manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years. The screenplay takes time to develop Diane Lane's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Diane Lane's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: Secretariat
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Randall Wallace, Secretariat resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Diane Lane, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Secretariat reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Secretariat?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Diane Lane or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Secretariat
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $35.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $60.3M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Secretariat Budget
The estimated production budget for Secretariat is $35.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Secretariat
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Where to Watch Secretariat Online?
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Google Play MoviesYouTubeSecretariat Parents Guide & Age Rating
2010 AdvisoryWondering about Secretariat age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Secretariat is 123 minutes (2h 3m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.4/10, and global performance metrics, Secretariat is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2010 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Secretariat worth watching?
Secretariat is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.4/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Secretariat parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Secretariat identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Secretariat?
The total duration of Secretariat is 123 minutes, which is approximately 2h 3m long.
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How Secretariat Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Secretariat
Quite decent story telling. Not too big pretensions and nice performance from a well chosen cast. The story is quite stereotypical but it is well done.
I thoroughly enjoyed the performances of Diane Lane and John Malkovich, the film itself may not match those two but it still makes for a pleasant time. This is another sports drama from Disney and another film about horses, of which they have been a fair amount down the decades from the studio. It fails to reach the (very) high levels of 1976's 'The Littlest Horse Thieves' and 1991's 'Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken'. However, with that noted, 'Secretariat' still produces a fine time. Lane and Malkovich are very good together, Lane particularly stands out. Margo Martindale is involved once more, playing a sweet and lovely character as she always does - she's perfect for those roles. Nice to see James Cromwell, also. The cinematography is solid, as is the pacing of events. It does feel a little light of serious story at times, but that's hard to avoid when you're dealing with something as interesting but repetitive as horse racing. In the end, it's a nice story about Secretariat and Penny Chenery.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
