Prefontaine

Name: Prefontaine
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
Released: January 24, 1997
Duration: 106 min
Rating: 56
Cast: Jared Leto, R. Lee Ermey

1997

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: January 24, 1997 | PG-13

Starring: Jared Leto, R. Lee Ermey

Summary: The true-life story of legendary track star Steve Prefontaine, the exciting and sometimes controversial "James Dean of Track," whose spirit captured the heart of the nation! (Buena Vista Entertainment)

Director: Steve James

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Sport

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 106 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Peter Stack

Using documentary-style Super 16 film and staged cutaway interviews with friends and family, James and his photographer and co-producer, Peter Gilbert, fashioned a movie with an affecting, candid look. Read full review

G. Allen Johnson

But then, just when it appears the race is lost, Steve James' love for his character and art form kicks in and wins the day, and, though flawed, Prefontaine is an engrossing portrait of a complex figure. Read full review

Roger Ebert

What sets Prefontaine aside from most sports movies is that it's not about winning the big race. It's about the life of a runner. Read full review

James Berardinelli

For the most part, the documentary segments, in addition to being unilluminating, are intrusive. Read full review

Lisa Alspector

As the driven competitor who learns to make hubris work for him, Jared Leto gives a complex performance that suggests a deep, intriguing interior to the character even as he maintains a convincing one-dimensional facade. Read full review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

But in this standard athlete-dies-young presentation, we never do catch the magic that made Steve Prefontaine a towering figure. Instead, this Pre is a shaggy-haired, sentimental favorite -- a teen angel rather than an Olympian. Read full review

David Sterritt

The acting ranges from adequate (Jared Leto, R. Lee Ermey) to awful (Lindsay Crouse and everyone else). Read full review

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User Reviews

Tss5078

Feb 24, 2013

While there seem to be many different opinions on weather or not the facts in the film are accurate, the fact remains that this was a fantastic movie that perfectly illustrated the drive and determination that made Pre a national icon. Jared Leto is amazing as well. Based on his other works,While there seem to be many different opinions on weather or not the facts in the film are accurate, the fact remains that this was a fantastic movie that perfectly illustrated the drive and determination that made Pre a national icon. Jared Leto is amazing as well. Based on his other works, to be honest, I didn't think he was a good choice to play Steve Prefontaine, but he really surprised me and does an Oscar worthy job with this role. Prefontaine is inspirational and a great tribute to a great man. I would defiantly suggest seeing it!… Expand

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