| Overall Grade: |
B+ |
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| Story: |
C+ |
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| Acting: |
B+ |
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|
| Direction: |
B |
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|
| Visuals: |
B- |
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Memorable Run for Glory
by Yahoo! Movies User (movies profile)
Jan 28, 2008
Story:
Details the life of the little engine that could, Steve Prefontaine. After a brief description of how he achieved his desire, too small as a kid, never picked for the team, etc. Steve or "Pre" as he's known as, finds his niche in running.
Getting a scholarship to Oregon University, "Pre" meets "legendary" coach Bill Bowerman who helps him decide to focus on running the 3-mile
or 5000 meter race.
Pre's ultimate goal is for gold in Munich and the story mostly stays on this track.
The story starts to drift after the Olympics though addressing the amateur vs. professional standing athletes have and unfortunately it leaves viewers a little in the dark about the message.
Pre eventually dies in a car accident that diminishes the story a bit as well.
Acting: B+
Jared Leto is top-notch as Steve Prefontaine. He truly carries this movie to a higher level than it would be otherwise and will most likely have the viewer wanting to watch the film again.
His portrayal of Pre is one of ego and strength mixed together wonderfully to make him a lovable if not always likeable main character.
The supporting cast of Pre's girlfriends and his coaches were good but not great and easily forgettable.
One of his teammates, Mac, a discus thrower who eventually took Gold in the Olympics gave a memorable effort in his role and should be commended.
Direction: B
The director put together the film in an understandable and enjoyable fashion which allowed the viewer to follow and understand where the film was headed.
Basically filmed to be autobiographical, it went beyond Pre's drive for Olympic Gold and focused about the type of person he was, which kept the viewers interest most of the way. Some of the interviews with the girlfriends were unnecessary and boring but not bad overall.
Visuals: B-
Nothing spectacular here. I would imagine that Leto in real life is not an athlete hence showing just the finish of the race where he usually won by large margins.
The interviews given by the coaches seemed somewhat meaningful but the girlfriend’s interviews bored. The director did a good job explaining the other events that overshadowed Pre's run for Gold at the Olympics. The Arab kidnapping and murder of Israeli athletes was very well done and the cameo shots of the U.S. Men’s basketball team losing to the U.S.S.R. on a disputed call was a good move to put in also.
Overall: B+
Leto made this movie a notch higher than what it would have been otherwise.
He makes such an impression on the viewer that you will most likely want to watch this film again someday. A job well done, Mr. Leto.
The director also deserves recognition for bringing out the following point:
1. As an athlete or in life, one can never allow a losing mentality to creep in, you must keep on top of your game or mental outlook.
Whether your a runner or not, I recommend seeing Prefontaine. |
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