YMMV / Secretariat

• Cliché Storm: Many critics have pointed out that despite this, the movie still manages to do things right.
  • And yet many common sports-movie cliches are missing; Secretariat was no underdog going into the Belmont, which means no Miracle Rally, there is no tacked-on love story, etc. Roger Ebert points this out in his four-star review of the film.
• Harsher in Hindsight: In the film, Laurin's "Don't fall off!!" to Turcotte is a Funny Moment. Fridge Horror sets in when you learn that Ronnie Turcotte broke his back and became a paraplegic in 1978 after falling off his mount mid-race.
• Hilarious in Hindsight: Margo Martindale (Elizabeth) would appear frequently as herself in Bojack Horseman where an anthropomorphic Secretariat is the childhood hero of the title character.
• Heartwarming Moments: Penny and Lucien give a lot of these; perhaps the biggest is at the Belmont Ball.
  Penny: Lucien. You know you're absolutely the best trainer I could have ever...
  Lucien: You're the best owner I ever saw.
• Moment of Awesome: Secretariat's Belmont Stakes race. Full stop.
• Narm: For some, the conclusion of the Belmont Stakes race almost loses all its power and awe when the music suddenly chimes in with Oh Happy Day. It works better in a movie theater with Dolby surround sound, and when you remember that it's Oh Happy Day playing when Penny gets her faith back, decides to bet the farm on Secretariat, and commits herself to the Triple Crown.
  "HEY KENTUCKY! BIG RED ATE HIS BREAKFAST THIS MORNING! GET PREPARED TO SEE SOMETHING YOU AIN'T EVEN SEEN BEFORE!!"
  • WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR. WAR.
• Tear Jerker: Some part of this film is going to make you cry, whether it's Chenery falling apart listening to her daughter sing or Secretariat's near-miraculous Belmont finish.

---