With its moving final scenes and well-developed subject, the story of Steve Prefontaine is a decidedly well-told American tale.
Comment
10/19/04
Prefontaine (1997)
64
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:25
Fresh:16
Rotten:9
Average Rating:6.5/10
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Reviews for Prefontaine
A reasonably good retelling of the life story of Steve Prefontaine.
01/01/00
The film is refreshingly unsentimental, intelligent, and compelling (the race scenes areparticularly effective: even if you know the outcomes, these function as mini-dramas in themselves).
01/01/00
One of the better sports movies to come from Hollywood in recent years.
02/19/04
A runner learns some invaluable lessons from his defeat in the Olympics.
02/26/02
As the handsome Leto becomes more comfortable in the role, James begins to let loose his filmmaking skills, deftly weaving precise period re-creations and documentary footage to add dimension and humanity to Prefontaine.
01/01/00
Even through Prefontaine's obviousness, we feel its force.
01/01/00
Now Steve Prefontaine can be immortalized for the complex and shining star that he was.
05/14/03
With hypnotic blue eyes and dirty blond hair, Leto captures the rock-star style Prefontaine affected, and he looks natural in fiery performances on the track, as well as off, where Pre affected a brash, confrontational style.
01/01/00
Top CriticNo review available.
01/07/05
Here is a sports movie in the tradition of the best sportswriting, where athletes are portrayed warts and all. You do not have to be nice to win races, but you have to be good.
01/01/00
Top CriticSteve James knows his film-making, whether the subject is fact or fiction.
01/01/00
No review available.
01/24/04
Prefontaine gets to the finish line in reasonable shape despite plenty of sloppy running along the way.
03/14/07
Top CriticSteve Prefontaine must have been something special -- everyone says so -- but there's no magic on the screen.
03/14/07
James tries too hard to bring closure to Pre's life, and, as a result, strays a little too far into melodrama. The tearful reminiscences at the end, not to mention some of the stuff at the funeral, lay it on thickly.
01/01/00
Top CriticDisappointingly colorless and squeaky-clean.
05/20/03
Top CriticUltimately, the script doesn't give us any real insights into Prefontaine's prickly personality or show us why he needed to prove himself.
01/01/00
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