Prefontaine (1997)

59% of critics liked it
(27 reviews)
78% of users liked it
(6,975 ratings)

This biographical sports drama is the true story of an Olympic runner whose life ended tragically short. Jared Leto stars as Steve Prefontaine, a teen who develops a running talent despite unorthodox physical traits such as a short stature and legs of different lengths. "Pre" is still sufficiently… More This biographical sports drama is the true story of an Olympic runner whose life ended tragically short. Jared Leto stars as Steve Prefontaine, a teen who develops a running talent despite unorthodox physical traits such as a short stature and legs of different lengths. "Pre" is still sufficiently impressive enough on the track field to be recruited by Bill Bowerman (R. Lee Ermey), an Oregon college coach who creates homemade running shoes in his garage. His arrogant attitude vexes even his girlfriend (Amy Locane), but Pre's athletic skills prove to be the real deal, as he wins an NCAA championship and qualifies for the 1972 Olympics. Prior to his event, however, a terrorist attack in Munich leaves several athletes dead, and a shaken Pre doesn't medal. Back home, Bowerman turns his shoe-making enterprise into the global sneaker giant Nike, while Pre chafes under the poverty enforced by Olympic rules. He becomes an outspoken advocate for amateur athletes and tries to organize an exhibition, which leads to criticism by the press. Before he can compete, however, Pre is killed in a car wreck. Prefontaine (1997) was one of two motion pictures made about the runner at the same time; the other was Without Limits (1998). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Steve James
Written By: Steve James, Eugene Corr
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jan 24, 1997 Wide
On DVD: Sep 3, 2002

Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy, Variety
Prefontaine gets to the finish line in reasonable shape despite plenty of sloppy running along the way.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Disappointingly colorless and squeaky-clean.
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Though it is always pleasant and agreeable, this film has the bland and undemanding texture that characterizes movies made for network TV.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
James tries too hard to bring closure to Pre's life, and, as a result, strays a little too far into melodrama. The tearful reminiscences at the end, not to mention some of the stuff at the funeral, lay it on thickly.
Mike Clark, USA Today
The Super-16mm film stock gives the film a grainy look that blends in artfully with the vintage videotape of ABC's '72 Olympics coverage.
Gary Kamiya, Salon.com
Even through Prefontaine's obviousness, we feel its force.
Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
Legendary runner's story is compelling, tragic.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Steve Prefontaine must have been something special -- everyone says so -- but there's no magic on the screen.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
A touching, poignant movie with a great performance by Leto
Alison Macor, Austin Chronicle
With its moving final scenes and well-developed subject, the story of Steve Prefontaine is a decidedly well-told American tale.
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews
One of the better sports movies to come from Hollywood in recent years.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Nothing more than a glorified, profanity-sprinkled made-for-TV movie, from the cast right down to the shallow treatment of its subject.
Jeanne Aufmuth, Palo Alto Weekly
Now Steve Prefontaine can be immortalized for the complex and shining star that he was.
Wade Major, Boxoffice Magazine
Leto is the greatest beneficiary of these moments, seizing upon the opportunity to convincingly capture Prefontaine's egotistical, enigmatic, obsessive, charismatic personality even when the script fails to do so.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A runner learns some invaluable lessons from his defeat in the Olympics.
Madeleine Williams, Cinematter
The by-the-numbers athlete story is interesting, but leaves no lasting impression.
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews
The biggest problem is the script, which rarely rings true and is full of trite little phrases.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Ultimately, the script doesn't give us any real insights into Prefontaine's prickly personality or show us why he needed to prove himself.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

Good sports movie. Pre-rock star Jared Leto...
Cameron J

Sports films are boring and if "Chariots of Fire" taught us anything, that rule applies even to films where we get a close view of people running. Wow, when you say it, that actually does sound boring, but not in your head and, well, not here. Man, Jared Leto and his… More
Sports films are boring and if "Chariots of Fire" taught us anything, that rule applies even to films where we get a close view of people running. Wow, when you say it, that actually does sound boring, but not in your head and, well, not here. Man, Jared Leto and his charisma cracked the code and made an entertaining sports film. Of course, what can you expect from a rocker? Oh wait, he's contemporary. Sorry Jared, but no matter how much you yell about kings and queens, if you're not playing Freddie Mercury, I'm not interested, but mostly because you've got to get back into films, because no matter what Edward Norton says, that beautiful thing of yours called acting is far from destroyed... I said only having just seen film he did almost "fifteen" ago. Still, when his career was first blooming, ... Jared Leto was already in movies no one had heard about, which isn't to say that he wasn't good in them, because he really was, and although he carries this film, he doesn't entirely carry it away from its flaws. As I said earlier, the film isn't particularly boring, like most sports films, but I never said that it wasn't captivating. It's not that the subject isn't fascinating, which it is, but the themes they use in the film, while rather inventive in the biopic genre, aren't handled very well. The film features segments where they show a montage of interviews with Prefontaine's loved ones. It's not quite like "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind", for instead of incorporating that theme in every now and then, this film overdoes that for a long time, making the film feel so much like a documentary and stripping of it of its intimate tone, leaving to feel hollow and unengaging. However, those segments come and go, but when they do finally go, there's such a dent left by the documentary theme and the transitions between the themes are barely palpable, making it hard to get back into the film. Still, getting back into the film would be a much more demanding task were it not for, of course... the great soundtrack. Oh yeah, and let's not forget the acting. Ed O'Neill and R. Lee Ermey are playing... well, Ed O'Neill and R. Lee Ermey. Still, the two are as charismatic as a coach can get and they work wonders off of Jared Leto, establishing a chemistry that's not terribly explored, yet strong enough for you to enjoy their time together. Still, no matter what, if it's a scene with Jared Leto, it's enjoyable. Okay, now, as much as I've been praising him, he's not terribly stellar, but only because he's not written to be. Still, what he is given to do he milk's for all it's worth with his charisma, emoting and captivatingly striking authenticity as Steve Prefontaine. Still, he's not simply tranforming into Prefontaine. Prefontaine, himself, went through some changes, and Leto's impressively careful, but effective execution of every layer and characteristic in Prefontaine really does top off his transformation and makes him quite a strong enough lead to carry this film from its beginning to its solid ending. At the end of the race, its messily-handled storytelling techniques put a dent in the engagement value, but with a strong story, carried by an excellent Jared Leto and his chemistry with the charming cast, "Prefontaine" ultimately stands as an entertaining and satisfying study on the rise of the late, great legend of the track. 3/5 - Good
Todd S

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… More
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 work, to be honest, I didn't think he had it in him, but he really surprised me and does an excellent job with the role. It's inspirational and a great tribute to a great man. I would definatly suggest seeing it!.
Haley A

My favorite sports film of all time!!! Jared Leto's performance as the legendary Steve Prefontaine is so dead on. This film is so well done, and so beautifully put together. This is VERY underrated as a sports film.