8 SECONDS
A film review by Mark Takacs
Copyright 1994 Mark Takacs
New Line Cinema / rated PG-13 / 104 mins
Starring: Luke Perry Steven Baldwin Red Mitchell
James Rebhorn Carrie Snodgrass Cynthia Geary
Classification: Sports Drama
Tak Rating: wait for videotape
One-Line-Summary
----------------
The true story of Lane Frost's rise to the top of the rodeo world.
Tak Plot Summary ---------------- 8 SECONDS--you only have to hang on to the back of that bull for a mere 8 SECONDS. Son of a small Oklahoma rancher, Lane Frost (LUKE PERRY) was an acknowledged artist at managing that time with poise and style. As his reputation grows, he, his wife Kellie Kyle (CYNTHIA GEARY) and his family must learn to cope with all the pressures and hardships of the newfound fame.
Tak Thoughts ------------ Although not a Disney film, 8 SECONDS certainly reminded me of one. Lane Frost was a god-honest rodeo cowboy, and Hollywood loves cowboys right now, which perhaps explains the lovable, light treatment of some heavy issues. There's plenty of drama, but it's all easily resolved and doesn't seem to have weight or consequences to it.
The one issue that *is* dealt with is very heavy-handed. Lane has a strained relationship with his father. Dad is very proud of him, but incapable of praise other than through well-meaning critiques, even when Lane's done it all. Letting people know how you feel is an important message, but seems rather cliched here.
The rodeo action in 8 SECONDS was pretty exciting and well filmed, though I suspect that many of the 8 second rides are a bit drawn out. There's not much effort to explain anything about rodeo, we just know that Lane Frost does it and he's damn good. Why? I don't know and it really wasn't all that important for the story.
My favorite over-heard comment about this movie: "Yeah, I liked it, even though it was high on the cheese-factor."
Yep. We get cheatin' hearts, life on the road, and hard drinkin' buddies who are tough as nails but, gosh, deep down they really *care*. Lane is portrayed as a hard working, patient, generous, kind, and usually thoughtful man. He takes the time to talk to the little kids at the rodeos because he "...wishes that someone had taken the time to do that for him." Gosh ....hearts are a-meltin' everywhere.
In another scene, Lane and buddies have returned from a bar where he abstained from drinking, "No thanks, I'll have a Coke please," literally causing a bar-brawl. Lane endures buddy Tuff's ensuing drunken accusations while calmly flossing his teeth.
The other big fault of 8 SECONDS was the hurried feel. They've included all kinds of life messages and end up sacrificing quality for quantity. Near the end, one important scene got a collective "Whaa?!?" as the audience mentally scrambled to incorporate this newest development. The important details of that scene were only explained by an unseen, hard-to-hear rodeo announcer in the background a few scenes later. Maybe the film makers shoulda followed Lane's advice--"do the best you can in those 8 seconds and then get off".
Tak Rating system: ------------------ You might be disappointed by the cheese and shallow treatment if you go to see 8 SECONDS and pay full price. You'll have a much better experience as a $1.99 rental experience. While an inspiring story of an outstanding sportsman, put 8 SECONDS on your VCR list.
avoid at all costs
watch it on cable
X wait for videotape
see once as a matinee
see several times (w/friends) as matinee
see once at full price
see it several times - full and/or matinee
see many times at full price
--
mtakacs@netcom.com
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