The Cup (2011 film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | Simon Wincer (director) |
| Products | Biographical drama film |
The Cup is a 2011 Australian biographical drama directed by Simon Wincer, portraying the story of the 2002 Melbourne Cup race, which was won by jockey Damien Oliver. The cast includes Brendan Gleeson, Stephen Curry, Daniel MacPherson, Tom Burlinson, and features Bill Hunter in his final cinematic appearance.
Plot
Focusing on the intense 2002 Melbourne Cup—often referred to as The Race That Stops a Nation—the narrative follows elite horsemen from across Europe and Asia competing in this esteemed two-mile handicap event. Central to the story is Damien Oliver, a young Australian jockey who endures profound personal loss when his brother dies in a racing accident just days before the race, mirroring a tragedy that had previously affected their father. Despite these hardships, Damien triumphs, securing an extraordinary win on one of the sport’s most celebrated stages.
Cast
- Brendan Gleeson portraying Dermot Weld
- Stephen Curry as Damien Oliver
- Daniel MacPherson in the role of Jason Oliver
- Tom Burlinson as Dave Phillips
- Jodi Gordon playing Trish Oliver
- Martin Sacks as Neil Pinner
- Shaun Micallef depicting Lee Freedman
- Bill Hunter as Bart Cummings
- Nick Simpson-Deeks portraying Pat Smullen
- Colleen Hewett as Pat Oliver
- Andrew Curry in the role of Ray Oliver
- Reg Gorman as Vern
- Marty Fields playing Shearer Bookie
Reception
The critical response to The Cup was generally mixed to unfavorable, with a 28% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Joe Leydon from Variety offered a favorable critique, highlighting the film’s "smoothly efficient storytelling" and compelling performances by its principal actors. Meanwhile, Sandra Hall of The Sydney Morning Herald labeled it "a shamelessly old-fashioned film" that caters well to horse racing fans seeking straightforward entertainment.
In contrast, Luke Buckmaster from Crikey.com reproached director Simon Wincer for his dependence on familiar clichés. Mike McGranaghan of Aisle Seat described the movie as "adequately enjoyable" but noted it lacked the emotional depth found in comparable sports dramas.