In addition to getting panned by the critics,
Hidalgo also suffered badly at the box office--not even close to turning a profit. It's a shame, because this is by far Viggo Mortenson's finest movie, much better than the overrated
Lord of the Rings trilogy. It's super-cheesy right up to the end, with the usual setbacks and temptations an underdog racing movie has (whether it's a horse, a runner, or a car), but it also has a nice balance between calm drama and fast-paced action. It doesn't hurt, either, that the horses and the scenery are beautiful to look at. Don't expect any surprises plot-wise, but, considering the low expectations I had, I was blown away by the entertainment value
Hidalgo provided.
--A.Y.