Plot: What’s it about?
It’s not unusual for one film to have more than a few similarities to another. Sometimes this is a mere coincidence, while other times it can feel like a blatant rip-off. In the case of Prefontaine, it was the first of two films about the late Steve Prefontaine. The other film being Without Limits, which was released after this one. It’s been some time since I first saw Limits as well as this one before revisiting it for the review. With that being said, I recall enjoying Limits as well as this one. Billy Crudup played Prefontaine in Limits while Jared Leto handles that duty here. Leto gives another solid performance in a film that’s well worth checking out.
The film begins in the 1960’s with Prefontaine at an early age. We see that he was never a boy of great size, but was always determined, and a bit of a daredevil as well. What he lacks in size, he makes up for in speed, and eventually becomes a top long distance runner. R. Lee Ermy plays Coach Bill Bowerman who takes to Steve and has a strange method of using a waffle iron to put rubber soles on shoes. Ed O’Neil plays another Coach, Bill Dillinger. We see that Steve is determined, but also a bit arrogant as well. The film does a good job at painting an honest picture of Prefontaine without glamorizing things. We get a mix of interview clips with the actors playing the real life characters giving us various antidotes about Steve. These mostly take up the early portion of the film, but help bring us into this world. One of the unique things about the film is the understated nature of it all. Steve was a great runner, but also not one to bite his tongue. This is especially true after he witnesses the tragic events in Munich. Mostly, though, it keeps things on the track. We get many scenes of Steve competing. I seem to recall that being a major difference with Without Limits where we got a greater emphasis on the effects that Munich had on Steve. We’re treated to an honest look at the life of one of the greatest long distance runners that ever lived all the way to shocking car crash that claimed his life.
Video: How’s it look?
While this will never be a demo style disc to show off your system, it still presents the film in a satisfying manner. The print has been cleaned up real nicely, with fine details and sharp colors. Facial features and flesh tones are accurately rendered with no major issues. The image isn’t quite as bright as I expected, but that small issue aside, it serves the film as it should. We get occasional traces of grain, but nothing terrible distracting. Fans should be pleased.
Audio: How’s it sound?
We get a basic Dolby 2.0 track that still gets the job done. Don’t expect anything too broad here, but there aren’t major issues, either. Vocals were always clear and the music comes through nicely as well. While it won’t shake your world, this track is more than serviceable for the film at hand.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Nada. Zilch. There’s not even a pop up menu or scene selection. As the disc loads, the film just starts.
The Bottom Line
A sports film that’s accessible to a much broader audience. Prefontaine is well paced, well-acted and nicely recreates an earlier era. The film gives an honest look into a short lived life of one of the greatest long distance runners to ever live. The disc is a bit of a mixed bag, but the low asking price makes it an easy decision to pick this disc up. Recommended
