Personal Best

1982, Drama/Lgbtq+, 2h 4m

33 Reviews 1,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Mariel Hemingway has a career-making star turn in this highly physical drama about two Olympic athletes who find each other during competitive training. Read critic reviews

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Personal Best Photos

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Movie Info

Young sprinter Chris Cahill (Mariel Hemingway) is having difficulty reaching her potential as an athlete, until she meets established track star Tory Skinner (Patrice Donnelly). At first the two women form a friendship as Tory and her coach (Scott Glenn) help Chris with her training. Gradually, Tory and Chris start having a sexual relationship and become very close. Their intimacy becomes complicated when Chris' improvement causes them to be competitors for the Olympic team.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Drama, Lgbtq+
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Robert Towne
  • Producer:
    Robert Towne
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:

Cast & Crew

Mariel Hemingway
Chris Cahill
Patrice Donnelly
Tory Skinner
Scott Glenn
Terry Tingloff
Kenny Moore
Denny Stites
Jim Moody
Roscoe Travis
Kari G. Peyton
Penny Brill
Jodi Anderson
Nadia "Pooch" Anderson
Maren Seidler
Tanya
Martha Watson
Sheila
Emily Dole
Maureen
Pam Spencer
Jan
Deby Laplante
Trish
Larry Pennell
Rick Cahill
George De La Pena
Raoul
Luana Anders
Rita Cahill
Robert Towne
Director
Robert Towne
Producer
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Critic Reviews for Personal Best

All Critics (33) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (24) | Rotten (9)
Full Review… Bob Thomas Associated Press Full Review… Peter Hartlaub San Francisco Chronicle Full Review… Pamela Kessler Washington Post Full Review… Chuck Stephens Film Comment Magazine Full Review… Bruce McCabe Boston Globe Full Review… Richard Schickel TIME Magazine Full Review… Victoria Brownworth Philadelphia Gay News Full Review… Janet Singleton Big Mama Rag Full Review… Rick Chatenever Santa Cruz Sentinel Full Review… Camille Kittrell Sojourner Full Review… People Staff People Magazine Full Review… David Parkinson Radio Times
View All Critic Reviews (33)

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