WITHOUT LIMITS
US, 1998, 118 minutes, Colour.
Billy Crudup, Donald Sutherland, Monica Potter, Jeremy Sisto, Matthew Lillard, Billie Burke, Judith Ivey.
Directed by Robert Towne.
Without Limits is a biography of the long-distance runner, Steve Prefontaine. There had been a previous film about Prefontaine made for television, directed by Steve James (Hoop Dreams).
Steve Prefontaine seems a strange subject for a film biography because he did not win the competitions that he entered into and was killed at the age of twenty-four in a car accident.
However, he is presented as a symbolic American, a young student, symbolising something of the spirit of the changing 60s. He also was one of the first athletes to endorse Nike products. To this extent, he was something of an icon in his time.
The film shows him at university, in training, the various championships – and his finally being beaten.
The film is about losing rather than winning and the ability to cope with defeat as well as to unrealised potential in sport. To that extent, the film is far less competitive than other sports films (for example, Robert Town’s film about women athletes, Personal Best).
Billy Crudup (The High Low Country, Jesus’ Son, Big Fish, Stage Beauty) gives a nuanced performance as Prefontaine. Donald Sutherland has a very good role as his coach.
The film will be of interest for those who like sports films – even if the subject is not quite the heroic winner as in other films. It is also a portrait of a young man and his potential.
1.The impact of the film? As a sports film? Portrait of a young man? Entertainment? Audience knowledge of Steve Prefontaine or not?
2.The University of Oregon, the campus, the track? The various competitions? The editing and pace for the races? The musical score – and the range of songs from the period?
3.Steve Prefontaine as an ordinary young man of the period? The scholarship? The University of Oregon? His choice to go there because of the coach? His studies, his girlfriends and reputation, his friendship with Mary Marckx? Her coolness towards him? His pursuing her, dating her?
4.Prefontaine and his running, the three-mile race at Oregon? The popular figure, the press? The 1970 competitions, his own personal best – and the cut to his foot, the difficulty but his determination to win? The Scandinavian races?
5.The discussion about amateur athletes? His endorsing Nike? The danger for participation in the Olympic Games in Munich depending on his status?
6.The qualifying races, his being in fourth place – defeated by the Finnish athlete? His reaction, disappointment?
7.Back home, his having to deal with his defeat, working in the bar? Bowerman coming to see him, the discussions about future running, preparing for the Montreal Olympics? A comeback, the three-mile race, his final race, his record-breaking run?
8.The party, driving home – and the dramatisation of the fatal accident?
9.The portrait of Steve Prefontaine, a young man up to the age of twenty-four?
10.The portrait of Bill Bowerman, Donald Sutherland’s style, appearance, manner? His encouragement? A more gentle and less dominating approach to coaching? His bringing Prefontaine back into training?
11.The other characters, the students, friends, Mary Marckx, the relationship, her terms?
12.American sports, traditions, amateur and professional, sponsorships and the transition in the 60s and 70s to companies using athletes for sponsorships – like Nike?
