In 1982, I suppose this movie would have come across as both voyeuristic and somewhat gutsy, featuring as its "hook" a lesbian relationship between two young athletes. In 2010, it no longer seems gutsy - so that aspect of the movie is simply voyeuristic, although it does lead to a sometimes interesting portrayal of how the relationship gets complicated. As Tori and Chris, Patrice Donnelly and Mariel Hemingway both put on decent enough performances. Tori is a veteran pentathlete, while Chris is young and unsure of herself. The two link up, becoming friends and, ultimately, lovers - which creates some real complications as the personal and romantic relationship competes with the competitive and athletic relationship.
I found this a strange movie in some ways from the very beginning, as the opening credits roll in simply white letters on black background without any musical accompaniment at all. To me, that created an almost foreboding feeling - although there's nothing particularly foreboding about the movie. There's a number of scenes of total female nudity in the steam room after training sessions especially, although that didn't really strike me as gratuitous - it came across as natural to the circumstances. The sexual relationship between Chris and Tori isn't graphically portrayed, although there is nudity and obvious affection shown between the two. The development of their relationship (with its ups and downs) with its growing competitiveness as Chris develops into not just a lover but an athletic rival is interesting.
As sports movies go, this lacks any real sense of drama. The final part of the movie, depicting the 1980 US Olympic Trials is a bit of a drag frankly, and not well developed. At one point we're told that Chris is 6th and disappointing, while Tori is 3rd and very competitive. Then, all of a sudden, Chris is second and challenging to win, while Tori's on the verge of dropping out. How did that happen? Much of this closing part of the movie is filmed in slow motion, which doesn't really add to what should be the excitement.
This is - at best - an up and down movie. It has some very mild sexual innuendo type humour from time to time (think of the water polo player being spotted by Chris as he lifts weights, which means he's looking right up between her legs as he does so!) It also featured a role for a young and shaggy haired Scott Glenn, who - with all due respect - demonstrated that his best acting days were definitely ahead of him, although the scene in which he discusses the challenges of coaching women track athletes compared to coaching male football players was rather funny! 5/10
I found this a strange movie in some ways from the very beginning, as the opening credits roll in simply white letters on black background without any musical accompaniment at all. To me, that created an almost foreboding feeling - although there's nothing particularly foreboding about the movie. There's a number of scenes of total female nudity in the steam room after training sessions especially, although that didn't really strike me as gratuitous - it came across as natural to the circumstances. The sexual relationship between Chris and Tori isn't graphically portrayed, although there is nudity and obvious affection shown between the two. The development of their relationship (with its ups and downs) with its growing competitiveness as Chris develops into not just a lover but an athletic rival is interesting.
As sports movies go, this lacks any real sense of drama. The final part of the movie, depicting the 1980 US Olympic Trials is a bit of a drag frankly, and not well developed. At one point we're told that Chris is 6th and disappointing, while Tori is 3rd and very competitive. Then, all of a sudden, Chris is second and challenging to win, while Tori's on the verge of dropping out. How did that happen? Much of this closing part of the movie is filmed in slow motion, which doesn't really add to what should be the excitement.
This is - at best - an up and down movie. It has some very mild sexual innuendo type humour from time to time (think of the water polo player being spotted by Chris as he lifts weights, which means he's looking right up between her legs as he does so!) It also featured a role for a young and shaggy haired Scott Glenn, who - with all due respect - demonstrated that his best acting days were definitely ahead of him, although the scene in which he discusses the challenges of coaching women track athletes compared to coaching male football players was rather funny! 5/10