The Cup is a 2011 Australian biographical film directed by Simon Wincer. The film is about the 2002 Melbourne Cup race won by Damien Oliver.[1][2] Starring Brendan Gleeson, Stephen Curry, Daniel MacPherson, Tom Burlinson and Bill Hunter, in his final film before his death.
| The Cup | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Simon Wincer |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | David Burr |
| Edited by | David Pulbrook |
| Music by | Bruce Rowland |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Roadshow Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
Plot
editThe 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
edit- Brendan Gleeson as Dermot Weld
- Stephen Curry as Damien Oliver
- Daniel MacPherson as Jason Oliver
- Tom Burlinson as Dave Phillips
- Jodi Gordon as Trish Oliver
- Martin Sacks as Neil Pinner
- Shaun Micallef as Lee Freedman
- Bill Hunter as Bart Cummings
- Colleen Hewett as Pat Oliver
- Nick Simpson-Deeks as Pat Smullen
- Reg Gorman as Vern
Reception
editThe Cup received mixed to negative reviews, currently holding a Rotten Tomatoes approval rating of 28%.
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
editReferences
edit- ^ Smith, Ian Hayden (2012). International Film Guide 2012. p. 65. ISBN 978-1908215017.
- ^ "The Cup". Cupmovie.com.au. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
External links
edit- The Cup at IMDb
- The Cup at Rotten Tomatoes