Without Limits (1998)
Reviewed by Greg Nowak
Director: Robert Towne Cast: Billy Crudup as Steve Prefontaine, Donald Sutherland as Bill Bowerman (aka Nike Shoes co-founder), Monica Potter as Mary Marckx. Written by Robert Towne and Kenny. Out of 5 stars: ***1/2 (3-1/2)
There was a huge crowd - at a premiere screening of "Without Limits" (first screening with a major general audience admittance). This was a movie premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. I must say that I met the director there so this could be a more slanted review.
Have you ever been on a European Bullet train. I just got back from Europe, riding around 5 times to various cities. You get on and can't believe the speed. You start conversing; being distracted as the outside rushes by you. Then you turn back to the excitement of speed.
You look out the window searching for a reference of speed. Automobiles on the Autobahn that you pass show you how fast you are going. Steve Prefontaine was so much of a gift or had that gift. The movie of his life is like that feeling on the train; what's he compared to. The story inside him needs an artist and Robert Towne paints the intensity of a runner, "Pre" "Without Limits". Pre is without limits, except for the honest distractions of the humorously laid-back but dabbling attitude of his coach, Bowerman and the great allure of Pre's female attraction.
Sutherland is at his best (you know his great acting like in Ordinary People (1980) that won 4 Oscars). and Billy Crudup fine performance reminds you of those college days of recklessness and long hair.
Why should you see this movie? It's a tragedy that takes you back to the late 70's; why you love to do sports ("Just do It"); and why you really do what in the rest of your life (testosterone). Also you escape to green pastures, smelling the newly cut grass and college days with a coach or teacher you don't like but like now.
(c) Greg Nowak 1998 (only Internet Movie Database, and their links, publication allowed)
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