The Cup (2011 film)
The Cup is a 2011 Australian biographical film about the 2002 Melbourne Cup race, won by the Dermot Weld trained Media Puzzle. And is directed by Simon Wincer.[1] It is about Damien Oliver's victory in the 2002 Melbourne Cup.[2] This was Bill Hunter's final film before his death.
| The Cup | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical film poster | |
| Directed by | Simon Wincer |
| Produced by | Jan Bladier Lance Hool David Lee Simon Wincer |
| Screenplay by | Eric O'Keefe Simon Wincer |
| Based on | 2002 Melbourne Cup |
| Starring | Brendan Gleeson Stephen Curry Daniel MacPherson Jodi Gordon Martin Sacks Shaun Micallef Bill Hunter Colleen Hewett Tom Burlinson |
| Music by | Bruce Rowland |
| Cinematography | David Burr |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Roadshow Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
Plot
The Melbourne Cup is called The Race That Stops a Nation, but never in the history of Australia's 150-year-old Thoroughbred Classic has there been so dramatic a contest as the 2002 running. The Cup follows the world's finest horsemen as they plot their paths across the globe - from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia - and into the Winners Circle of the richest and most prestigious two-mile handicap. But the heart of this true story is a young Australian jockey, Damien Oliver, who loses his only brother in a tragic racing accident just days before the great race. To make matters worse, the same fate claimed Damien and Jason Oliver's father decades before. Following his brother's death, Damien suffers through an almost endless series of discouraging defeats only to triumph on one of sport's greatest stages in one of the most thrilling finales in all of sport.
Cast
- Brendan Gleeson as Dermot Weld
- Stephen Curry as Damien Oliver
- Daniel MacPherson as Jason Oliver
- Jodi Gordon as Trish Oliver
- Martin Sacks as Neil Pinner
- Shaun Micallef as Lee Freedman
- Bill Hunter as Bart Cummings (This was Bill Hunter's last film before he died of liver cancer aged 71 before the film was released)
- Colleen Hewett as Pat Oliver
- Tom Burlinson as Dave Phillips
Reception
The Cup received mixed to negative reviews, currently holding a Rotten Tomatoes approval rating of 26%.
Joe Leydon of Variety gave a positive review, saying "Although it canters down a well-trod path toward a predictable finish line, The Cup sustains interest through the smooth efficiency of its storytelling and the engaging performances of its lead players." Sandra Hall of the Sydney Morning Herald called it "a shamelessly old-fashioned picture but if you like horses and fancy cantering off into the land of wish-fulfilment for a couple of hours, why not?"
Luke Buckmaster of Crikey.com gave a negative review, saying "Director Simon Wincer was not the right person to avoid certain temptations, like dunking the audience's noggins into a honey pot of clichés." Mike McGranaghan of Aisle Seat thought the film was a "pleasant-enough viewing experience. At the same time, I was never as riveted as I have been by other, similarly-themed films. It makes you feel good without ever truly stirring the soul."
See also
References
- Smith, Ian Hayden (2012). International Film Guide 2012. p. 65. ISBN 978-1908215017.
- "The Cup". Cupmovie.com.au. Retrieved 8 August 2012.