Watch The Cup

The Cup is a heartwarming and inspirational sports drama movie that portrays the journey of a young jockey, Damien Oliver, who overcame unimaginable tragedies to win the prestigious Melbourne Cup horse race. The movie, directed by Simon Wincer, is based on a true story. The story is set in 2002, where Damien Oliver (played by Stephen Curry), a rising star in the horse racing world, loses his brother Jason (played by Daniel MacPherson) in a tragic accident just days before the Melbourne Cup. Jason was also a jockey and was set to ride a favorite horse in the race. Damien is devastated by the loss of his brother, and it takes a toll on him mentally and emotionally. His parents, Ray and Pat Oliver (played by Bryan Martin and Jodi Gordon, respectively), also struggle to come to terms with Jason's death, and the family is shattered.

Despite his grieving, Damien is determined to ride in the Melbourne Cup in honor of his brother's memory. He approaches Jason's trainer, Lee Freedman (played by Shaun Micallef), and asks for a ride on Jason's horse. Initially hesitant, Lee eventually agrees to let Damien ride the horse, and he starts training for the race.

As the race day approaches, Damien faces numerous challenges, both personal and professional. He struggles with the grief of losing his brother and the pressure of performing well in the race. On the other hand, Lee doubts his decision to let Damien ride the horse, and there are speculations that Damien is not fit to ride. Moreover, other jockeys and trainers underestimate Damien, labeling him as an average jockey.

However, Damien's unwavering determination and focus allow him to overcome all the obstacles in his way. He gets immense support from his family, friends, and fellow jockeys, who believe in him and want him to succeed. The Melbourne Cup race turns out to be a tight contest, with several horses competing for the first place. The climax of the movie is an adrenaline-filled horse race that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

The Cup is a well-made movie that captures the essence of the sport of horse racing and highlights the importance of perseverance, determination, and family support. The movie showcases the brutal realities of the sport, including the risks of injury and death that jockeys face every day. It also depicts the intense competition and pressure that riders go through to win big races like the Melbourne Cup.

One of the significant strengths of the movie is its cast. Stephen Curry delivers an exceptional performance as Damien Oliver, portraying his emotional and mental struggles with grace and authenticity. Bryan Martin and Jodi Gordon shine as Damien's parents, depicting the pain and grief of losing a child realistically. Other actors like Daniel MacPherson, Shaun Micallef, and Tom Burlinson also do justice to their roles.

Another highlight of The Cup is its cinematography, which captures the beauty and grandeur of the racing tracks, horses, and jockeys. The movie's sound design is also impeccable, immersing the audience in the sounds of galloping horses and cheering crowds.

Overall, The Cup is a must-watch movie for sports enthusiasts, horse racing fans, and anyone who loves an inspiring story of triumph over adversity. The movie celebrates the spirit of resilience and tenacity and is a fitting tribute to a great jockey and his beloved brother.

The Cup is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6 and a MetaScore of 33.