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Without Limits (1998)

Rate: 5
Viewed: 12/07, 11/21

WithLimits
12/07: Without Limits is a superficial but watchable film about the legendary runner Steve Prefontaine.

There are several things I like. The first is Billy Crudup's uncanny appearance of Steve Prefontaine. Secondly, Donald Sutherland gives his usual best. Third, the editing work of the 1972 Munich race between Steve Prefontaine and Lasse Virén is remarkable.

However, the negatives outweigh the positives. All I saw is Steve Prefontaine racing, saying futile words, and sleeping around. In other words, there isn't much of a story. Moreover, it lacks development among the characters apart from Steve.

Is Donald Sutherland's Bill Bowerman only there to serve as a reminder that he invented Nike shoes? The AAU fight feels out of place. I can see it was part of Steve Prefontaine's story, but screenwriter Robert Towne fails to make it matter. I read somewhere Tom Cruise was considered for the role of Steve Prefontaine. What a laugh. Imagine him trying to look like Pre.

All in all, Without Limits has a lot of problems, but at least, it's a Steve Prefontaine biopic which is a rarity.

11/21: You know what Steve Prefontaine looked like, and now...imagine Tom Cruise playing him.

It almost happened for Without Limits. Luckily, he decided to back out and let somebody else, who's a lot closer to him in image, take over. That being said, Billy Crudup nails the part very well and I like his fluid running form, but Jared Leto gives a better acting performance.

The problem is it's a slow movie that often drags. There are some incidents that aren't factually true. For example, Steve Prefontaine hurt his foot by hitting it against a loose diving bolt, not during one night of gymnastics sex. At the end, they almost have the version correct, but the truth is: somebody punched Frank Shorter in the mouth which explains why he begged Steve Prefontaine all night long to be taken home, but Steve wanted to stay longer for the party.

All in all, it's a good idea to watch both Prefontaine and Without Limits, but don't be surprised to realize that the one with Jared Leto is better.