Without Limits Review
by Greg King (gregking AT netau DOT com DOT au)July 24th, 1999
WITHOUT LIMITS (M).
(New Line Cinema/Village Roadshow)
Director: Robert Towne
Stars: Billy Crudup, Donald Sutherland, Monica Potter, Jeremy Sisto, Matthew Lillard, Gabe Olds, Judith
Ivey, Dean Norris, Billy Burke, Adam Setliff, Nicholas Oleson, William Mapowther
Running time: 118 minutes.
For a long time, Tom Cruise has been interested in making a biopic about Steve Prefontaine, the champion American distance runner who was killed in a car crash at the age of 24. In the early pre- production stages, Cruise was even attached to the role. However, his involvement here is limited to that merely of producer.
Like James Dean, Prefontaine was something of a cult hero, a popular idol, who died tragically young while still at the start of his promising career. At the time of his death, Prefontaine remained unbeaten in America, and many of the records he set 25 years ago remain unbroken. The film touches on his clashes with the sport's governing body, his strong desire to win, and his crushing defeat in the Munich Olympics. His college romance with writer Mary Marckx (Monica Potter, from Patch Adams, etc) is the least interesting element of the film.
The most fascinating part of Without Limits centres on the complex and volatile relationship between the cocky, arrogant and strong willed Prefontaine and his brilliant coach and mentor Bill Bowerman (Donald Sutherland). Although the two men had different philosophies about how to run a distance race, they slowly established a mutual respect for each other's abilities. Without Limits opens during the 10,000 metres final at the 1972 Munich Olympics, and unfolds in flashback, seen mainly from Bowerman's perspective. Writer/director Robert Towne, who last ventured into this territory with Personal Best, brings some genuine suspense to the running sequences. It is the numerous race sequences that bring some excitement and energy to this otherwise routine biopic. Billy Crudup (from Inventing The Abbotts, etc) brings a brashness, vitality and raw sex appeal to his performance as the charismatic Prefontaine. So often cast as the villain or the dry authority figure, Sutherland rarely gets a chance to show what a superb performer he is when given a decent role. As Pre's coach he gets a rare opportunity to deliver a subtle and insightful performance, and he brings a spark to the film.
Without Limits is actually the second film to depict the life of the famous runner, following the lacklustre Pre, which disappeared straight to video. This stylish and superbly crafted biopic is very American in tone, and is ultimately more concerned with worshipping Prefontaine's achievements rather than offering personal insights into the man. It is also ultimately a story of particular appeal only to American audiences, with its international appeal limited mainly to those with an interest in athletics and sports biographies.
**1/2
greg king
http://www.netau.com.au/gregking
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