I have a soft spot for sports movies. Wait, didn't I already make that point clear here? Whatever, let's get down to business: "Without Limits", a movie about American running legend Steve Prefontaine. For me as an ignorant European (you know that kind) the guy didn't ring any bells but I heard good things about the film so I went and checked it out.
Surely I'm glad I did because this film is just right up my alley. It tells the story of the short but eventful live of Prefontaine, his rise to fame and his all too sudden death (did I just spoil anything?). While the plot is probably not the most original (it's a biopic about an outstanding athlete, there are really not many ways you can go with that), it's the performances that will stick with you, for better or for worse.
On the good side we have Billy Crudup as the cocky but likable Pre. Crudup gives it his best and makes this film his calling card for later roles in films like "Almost Famous". Surprisingly the heart and soul of "Without Limits" is not him but Donald Sutherland in the role of Prefontaine's coach Bill Bowerman. His understated but captivating performance elevates the film to more than just average film fare. The way Crudup and Sutherland fill out their roles is a prime example for good acting in sports movies.
Nonetheless there is one main character in the film that just falls flat and that's Monica Potter as Prefontaine's love interest. While she is cute enough, her performance lacks energy and scores high in terms of woodenness. That's especially distracting since her character is based on Pre's real girlfriend at the time and is not just some tacked on cash-in by the producers to appeal to a broader audience.
The direction by Robert Towne is solid if not outstanding, but there is one thing that "Without Limits" does really well and that's the actual running scenes. Quite honestly, I consider it an accomplishment to create running footage that is as goosebump inducing as here.
So all in all, if you're in the mood for sport movies, "Without Limits" is definitely one of the better choices in this genre.
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