The first of two feature films about runner Steve Prefontaine to make it across the finish line, Hollywood Pictures' "Prefontaine" is both epic and intimate, not surprising considering the director/ co-writer is Steve James and the cinematographer/co-producer is Peter Gilbert (two-thirds of the team behind the outstanding 1994 documentary "Hoop Dreams").
One of the most profound, questioning sports films in recent years, "Prefontaine" premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and opens commercially Friday. Although the film will earn only modest returns theatrically, its reputation should grow with time and prove to be a strong "kicker" in ancillary markets.
The true story of a phenomenal distance runner who watches U.S. Olympian Jim Ryun on TV as a teenager and amuses his parents by predicting he will compete in the 1972 Summer Games in Munich, "Prefontaine" has many documentary-like elements, including the liberal use of footage of the real "Pre" (as he was dubbed by friends and fans) as well as mock interviews with the principal players in his life.
A construction worker's son from Coos Bay, Ore., the cocky, sometimes arrogant lead is played splendidly by Jared Leto ("How to Make an American Quilt" and TV's "My So-Called Life"). A fast, even reckless driver, but otherwise decent and still in love with his high school sweetheart (Laurel Holloman), Pre cruises off to the University of Oregon and runs for coach Bill Bowerman (R. Lee Ermey).
Having set many national high school records, the kid from nowhere betters NCAA marks, although he initially is disappointed by being given the 3-mile race after Bowerman declares his "kick" not strong enough for the more glamorous mile and 1,500-meter events. As the '72 Olympics loom, he meets and falls for a coed runner (Amy Locane) and alienates one of his most talented teammates, discus thrower Mac Wilkins (Brian McGovern).
Flowing smoothly but lacking conventional dramatic punch, the film effectively evokes the 1968-75 time frame, with the filmmakers shooting in Super 16 to complement the archival footage of numerous races, antiwar protests and Munich, including the death of Israeli athletes at the hands of terrorists just before his big event.
Prefontaine's fourth-place finish in a race he brazenly predicted he'd win (at the unheard-of age of 21) against the world's best is the crucial moment. How he rebounds and maintains his amateur status for a planned rematch against Finland's Lasse Viren four years later is the final act in a life cut short sadly in a car wreck. The film makes a strong appeal that his legacy is one of championing the rights of athletes, as much as his underdog spirit and unfulfilled promise as an Olympian.
The supporting cast is terrific. The soundtrack is also a winner, with familiar songs by the Who and Stephen Stills.
PREFONTAINE
Buena Vista
Hollywood Pictures presents
An Irby Smith/Jon Lutz/Mark Doonan production
Director Steve James
Producers Irby Smith, Jon Lutz, Mark Doonan, Peter Gilbert
Writers Steve James, Eugene Corr
Co-producer Shelly Glasser
Director of photography Peter Gilbert
Production designer Carol Winstead Wood
Editor Peter Frank
Music Mason Daring
Costume designer Tom Bronson
Casting Pam Dixon Mickelson
Color/stereo
Cast:
Steve Prefontaine Jared Leto
Bill Bowerman R. Lee Ermey
Bill Dellinger Ed O'Neill
Pat Tyson Breckin Meyer
Elfriede Prefontaine Lindsay Crouse
Nancy Alleman Amy Locane
Elaine Finley Laurel Holloman
Mac Wilkins Brian McGovern
Running time -- 106 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
One of the most profound, questioning sports films in recent years, "Prefontaine" premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and opens commercially Friday. Although the film will earn only modest returns theatrically, its reputation should grow with time and prove to be a strong "kicker" in ancillary markets.
The true story of a phenomenal distance runner who watches U.S. Olympian Jim Ryun on TV as a teenager and amuses his parents by predicting he will compete in the 1972 Summer Games in Munich, "Prefontaine" has many documentary-like elements, including the liberal use of footage of the real "Pre" (as he was dubbed by friends and fans) as well as mock interviews with the principal players in his life.
A construction worker's son from Coos Bay, Ore., the cocky, sometimes arrogant lead is played splendidly by Jared Leto ("How to Make an American Quilt" and TV's "My So-Called Life"). A fast, even reckless driver, but otherwise decent and still in love with his high school sweetheart (Laurel Holloman), Pre cruises off to the University of Oregon and runs for coach Bill Bowerman (R. Lee Ermey).
Having set many national high school records, the kid from nowhere betters NCAA marks, although he initially is disappointed by being given the 3-mile race after Bowerman declares his "kick" not strong enough for the more glamorous mile and 1,500-meter events. As the '72 Olympics loom, he meets and falls for a coed runner (Amy Locane) and alienates one of his most talented teammates, discus thrower Mac Wilkins (Brian McGovern).
Flowing smoothly but lacking conventional dramatic punch, the film effectively evokes the 1968-75 time frame, with the filmmakers shooting in Super 16 to complement the archival footage of numerous races, antiwar protests and Munich, including the death of Israeli athletes at the hands of terrorists just before his big event.
Prefontaine's fourth-place finish in a race he brazenly predicted he'd win (at the unheard-of age of 21) against the world's best is the crucial moment. How he rebounds and maintains his amateur status for a planned rematch against Finland's Lasse Viren four years later is the final act in a life cut short sadly in a car wreck. The film makes a strong appeal that his legacy is one of championing the rights of athletes, as much as his underdog spirit and unfulfilled promise as an Olympian.
The supporting cast is terrific. The soundtrack is also a winner, with familiar songs by the Who and Stephen Stills.
PREFONTAINE
Buena Vista
Hollywood Pictures presents
An Irby Smith/Jon Lutz/Mark Doonan production
Director Steve James
Producers Irby Smith, Jon Lutz, Mark Doonan, Peter Gilbert
Writers Steve James, Eugene Corr
Co-producer Shelly Glasser
Director of photography Peter Gilbert
Production designer Carol Winstead Wood
Editor Peter Frank
Music Mason Daring
Costume designer Tom Bronson
Casting Pam Dixon Mickelson
Color/stereo
Cast:
Steve Prefontaine Jared Leto
Bill Bowerman R. Lee Ermey
Bill Dellinger Ed O'Neill
Pat Tyson Breckin Meyer
Elfriede Prefontaine Lindsay Crouse
Nancy Alleman Amy Locane
Elaine Finley Laurel Holloman
Mac Wilkins Brian McGovern
Running time -- 106 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 1/23/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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