# Without Limits (1998)

### reviewed by
David Wilcock

    Without Limits

    Starring Billy Crudup and Donald Sutherland
    Directed By Robert Towne
    Running Time: 1 hour 57 minutes

    (Warner Brothers)

Released with little fanfare, Without Limits is a pleasant diversion. The film documents the life of athlete Steve Prefontaine (played by Crudup), whos name probably means little to British audiences. An idolised long distance runner, this film charters his life from his training in the University of Oregon with coach Bill Bowerman (Sutherland), through to the 1972 Munich Olympic games, and ends with the tragic car crash he was in at the young age of 24. There's also thrills, suspense and romance in the form of Mary Marckx (Monica Potter) along the way.

Appearing from accomplished writer Robert Towne, Without Limits is a well made documentary. The performance, writing and acting are above average, and all account to a good time. New actor on the block Billy Crudup is good as Prefontaine, and the audience can relate easily to him. He gets an unfortunate moustache later on in the film, but this doesn't stop him delivering an good performance. Monica Potter has great charm as the love interest, although she isn't given much to do. She looks nice, and acts well. The ubiquitous Matthew Lillard makes an appearance as one of Prefontaine's team mates, but the acting award goes to a magical performance by the ever reliable Donald Sutherland. Every film he's done, whether Animal House (1979) or Outbreak (1995) he delivers a good performance, but here he's got a meaty part, and gives it his all. It really is a superb performance, playing the 'father figure' in a good way.

The script, by Towne and Kenny Moore, is good enough, even though all the source material is written out for them in history. The dialogue isn't too bad, though, although occasionally it can get a bit sappy with the romantic scene between Pre and Mary (a common problem in today's movies.) It doesn't detract, however. The direction is also very good. Towne makes the actors in the movie look like the real persons at the time, and uses stock footage of the actual events, and mixes them well with the filmed footage. Largely seamless. There's also some good use of montage throughout the film, and a well selected period soundtrack with some good tunes.

It's a shame this film won't be seen by many people (it only made around $1 million in the U.S during it's cinema run) as this is good entertainment. Never overdoing it, the audience doesn't feel manipulated throughout with the movie, even with a typical Hollywood funeral scene. Charming performances, good direction and decent writing make Without Limits one of the most pleasant surprises of the year, and is worth watching.

    RATING=*** OUT OF *****

    A David Wilcock Review ©1999

    DAVID WILCOCK
    david.wilcock@btinternet.com
    Visit the Wilcock Movie Page for U.K film reviews!
    http://www.wilcock54.freeserve.co.uk

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