You can become a valuable part of the WOSU Public Media family with your gift today. Your generosity will help positively impact the arts, education, and citizenship of the communities we serve.
A Truly Heart Warming Film, Good for the Whole Family
WOSU Film Critics Joyce and Rico Long review "The First Saturday In May."
by Joyce and Rico Long
RICO LONG GIVES "THE FIRST SATURDAY IN MAY" 4 STARS
****
What timing! The Kentucky Derby is tomorrow and this documentary is a terrific look at preparations for the derby in 2006.
It's all about six trainers, their retinue, and horses.
A factoid revealed in the film is that 40,000 baby thoroughbreds are born each year, and only 20 make it to the derby.
This film is all about the competition, passion, and folks that make this the "most exciting two minutes in sports."
I found the film to be truly heart warming. It's a fine follow up to "Sea Biscuit" released several years ago. It's not only for horse lovers, but a good family film.
The six trainers featured couldn't be more different - in personality and in the places they come from.
The owners put up the money to buy the horses, but it's the trainers that make them the competitive racers they are.
JOYCE LONG GIVES "THE FIRST SATURDAY IN MAY" 3 1/2 STARS
*** 1/2
For thoroughbreds, the Derby is the Super Bowl and the World Series all wrapped up into one.
These novice documentarians deliver a terrific story, or rather stories, that reveal the hard work, excitement, hopes, and heartbreak involved in getting a horse to the Derby.
The trail to the Kentucky Derby are several races which a horse must win or place in to qualify and range from Kentucky to New York, to Florida, to California, to Dubai, to Arkansas.
There are six racing families we learn about--the trainers, the grooms, the jockeys and the splendid horses, including Jazil, Lawyer Ron, Brother Derrick, and Barbaro. Yes, the Barbaro, and sadly, we all know about the tragedy of this amazing horse.
This film is a treat to watch if only to enjoy the beauty of these great horses.
Film: "The First Saturday in May"
Genre: Documentary
Length: 96 minutes
Rated: PG-13
WOSU Film Critics Joyce and Rico Long can be heard Fridays at 12:35pm during NPR's "Day To Day" on WOSU 820.
