| The Cup | |
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 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 |
The Cup is a 2011 Australian biographical film directed bySimon Wincer. The film is about the2002 Melbourne Cup race won byDamien Oliver.[1][2] StarringBrendan Gleeson,Stephen Curry,Daniel MacPherson,Tom Burlinson andBill Hunter, in his final film before his death.
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.
The Cup received mixed to negative reviews, currently holding aRotten Tomatoes approval rating of 28%.
Joe Leydon ofVariety 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 ofThe 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 ofCrikey.com gave a negative review, saying "DirectorSimon Wincer was not the right person to avoid certain temptations, like dunking the audience's noggins into a honey pot of clichés." Mike McGranaghan ofAisle 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."