Without Limits Review

Without Limits uses the story of the distance runner Steve Prefontaine to illustrate Towne`s concerns with life. Bearing in mind that Pre, as he was called, set seven US records for distances between 2000 and 10000 metres, but failed in his bid for a medal at the 1972 Olympics and was killed in a car accident in 1975 at the age of 24 this is not a film that could follow in the tradition of a lot of sporting movies. This is a film about sport as a metaphor for life... and Pre`s philosophy was `give ultimately to the moment`, despite the advice of his renowned coach Bill Bowerman...Because of the build-up of triumphant moments but ultimate lack of them, Without Limits follows an interestingly different dramatic trajectory.... with no real conclusion we`re asked to look at the short career of this volatile, almost arrogant runner and take something away that`s meaningful. Towne`s talent as a screenwriter lets us do that. And not in a sentimentally simplistic way. This, I think, is the strength of Without Limits. Billy Crudup shines as Pre and Donald Sutherland shows us in a rare moment these days the true depth of his talent in his portrayal of Bowerman. This is an insight into a world where people focus their lives on short moments, 3 minutes, 30 minutes, just to excel. It`s more about attitude than winning. The more I think about this film, the more it means to me. David`s Comments: The second film about Steve Prefontaine (the first, by the Hoop Dreams director, is currently on Pay TV). Sporting films aren`t my bag, but this is interesting because it`s about losing more than winning, and because Donald Sutherland is so good as Pre`s coach. Also impressive: Conrad Hall`s widescreen photography, and the impressive staging of the races. The love story`s a bit soppy, though.