PREFONTAINE (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Stars ììì

Prefontaine—fair to middling biographical documentary—uses the talents of Jared Leto to play the part of the Olympic runner, Steve Prefontaine.  R. Lee Ermey, a favorite of the Ben Meyers' team, plays the part of Bill Bowerman in this film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline

Steve Prefontaine rises from few athletic prospects due to his small stature to competing as a long distance runner in the 1972 Munich Olympics. He prepares for the 1976 Montreal Olympics; but, tragically dies in an automobile accident.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Steve James for his directing efforts. Thank you to Producers

Mark Doonan, Peter Gilbert, Jon Lutz, and Irby Smith for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include:  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), Curtis Cunningham (Kurtwood Smith), and Finnish Teammate (Adrian Amadeus).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. While this movie did not make money at box office, it has its own place due to a true story about someone who, by critical assessment, should not have been able to perform at the level he did, but overcame limitations to perform beyond any reasonable expectation.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers