I first heard about the story of Jesse Owens when I was taking film classes during my sessions at San Francisco State University. Through my Film And The Holocaust and Documentary And Film classes, I learned about Owens, the 1936 Olympics that he ran in under Hitler's regime, and Leni Riefenstahl's film she made based around the Olympics titled Olympia. When I heard that this movie was getting released, I was excited because I learned about this story while in College and hoped that the filmmakers would do it justice. Watching the trailer for this movie, it struck me as being very similar to another inspirational sports movie titled 42, the Jackie Robinson story starring Harrison Ford and Chadwick Boseman. Race and 42 share the same parallel of two up and coming African American athletes, one a runner, and the other a Baseball player being handpicked by their managers that happen to be compassionate and successful businessmen with big visionary dreams. Both athletes excel in their professions but have to go toe to toe with racism, and people trying to sabotage their winning streaks at every turn. This story centers around Jesse Owen's quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history but in doing so, he becomes pushed into the world stage of the 1936 Olympics which is being used as a political tool by Berlins chancellor Adolf Hitler with the objective of promoting Aryan supremacy. Right off the bat, this film is aiming for that 42 inspirational and dramatic feel of good triumphing over evil with the backdrop being a major sports event. So the question on everyone's mind reading this review is did Race live up to it's promise and name? The answer is a very enthusiastic YES.
Race is a strong and effective drama, that works because of the power of it's source material and the strong performances from it's stellar cast among the likes of Stephan James as Jesse Owens, Jason Sudeikis as Owens manager, Jeremy Irons as Owens ally Avery Brundage, and Carice Van Houten as Leni Riefenstahl, the infamous female filmmaker at the time who made the 1936 film Olympia. These key players all work beautifully off each other in showing the struggle Owens character had to endure during his time in Berlin as well as the politics behind the Olympics involving the Nazi regime. While it can be argued that the movie can never fully capture the glory and thrills of the real life event, this film does a beautiful job of showing the historic event while informing the audience about the history of the event. This was a significant race because Hitler's hope of the Aryans being looked upon as the definitive and ideal athletes was thwarted by Owens success. In terms of rich detail, the film flourishes with beautiful cinematography, art-set decoration as well as Costume Design. In regards to it's storyline, it's central focus is the race itself more so than the rest of Owens life which may come across as disappointing for some. The film does play off the traditional themes of a sports story/overcoming racism film such as determination, perseverance, and the will to succeed. One cannot deny that there was passion involved with telling this story as it's felt throughout the film, but perhaps there wasn't enough screen time to get this massively uplifting story told in just two hours. That's not mean't to be a huge criticism against the movie but just acknowledgement that the filmmakers did the best with the time that was given to them, although one wishes they tried to give more insight into the life of Owens.
Regardless of the movies flaws, one things remains forever certain. This is an emotionally powerful and very inspiring true story about a man fighting not one war but two. He's fighting the war in which he must tango with a regime that refuses to acknowledge his talent simply because he's African American, while also representing his country that also views him as a social outcast or inferior during that time period. As one of Owens family members puts it eloquently in the film, if Owen wins the gold medal for completing the race then he will be just as hated if he chose not to go to Berlin in protest of the discrimination he received in America at the time. Jesse Owens was essentially a man, who society was going to be hard on regardless of which choice he made, but he made his decision and prevailed against all odds with humility, incredible strength, and determination. One of the films defining moments is when he receives assistance from one of the Aryan athletes on where he should make his leap during the race, followed by a scene of the two men on opposite sides having drinks together and talking about the differences between each others society and the Aryan athletes frustration with his government. This scene is poignant because it taps into the real issue the race is surrounded by, and shows two men on opposite sides putting aside their differences and playing against each other not just in the spirit of sports but also as friends. It is not just that scene but other suttle moments throughout the movie such as Owens and his manager becoming not just powerful allies but friends and Owens facing discrimination once he returned back to America as a reminder of the second battle he faces which makes this film memorable. Race is a great story told in a powerful film which deserves more attention and praise than what its received. Anyone who appreciates African American History, the Holocaust, or history in general will take a great liking to this movie as it's beautifully told and richly empowering with it's final message which says that racism is a horrible thing and that good will always triumph over evil. If you have a chance to see this movie then please do so. It's worth it.
8.5/10
Race is a strong and effective drama, that works because of the power of it's source material and the strong performances from it's stellar cast among the likes of Stephan James as Jesse Owens, Jason Sudeikis as Owens manager, Jeremy Irons as Owens ally Avery Brundage, and Carice Van Houten as Leni Riefenstahl, the infamous female filmmaker at the time who made the 1936 film Olympia. These key players all work beautifully off each other in showing the struggle Owens character had to endure during his time in Berlin as well as the politics behind the Olympics involving the Nazi regime. While it can be argued that the movie can never fully capture the glory and thrills of the real life event, this film does a beautiful job of showing the historic event while informing the audience about the history of the event. This was a significant race because Hitler's hope of the Aryans being looked upon as the definitive and ideal athletes was thwarted by Owens success. In terms of rich detail, the film flourishes with beautiful cinematography, art-set decoration as well as Costume Design. In regards to it's storyline, it's central focus is the race itself more so than the rest of Owens life which may come across as disappointing for some. The film does play off the traditional themes of a sports story/overcoming racism film such as determination, perseverance, and the will to succeed. One cannot deny that there was passion involved with telling this story as it's felt throughout the film, but perhaps there wasn't enough screen time to get this massively uplifting story told in just two hours. That's not mean't to be a huge criticism against the movie but just acknowledgement that the filmmakers did the best with the time that was given to them, although one wishes they tried to give more insight into the life of Owens.
Regardless of the movies flaws, one things remains forever certain. This is an emotionally powerful and very inspiring true story about a man fighting not one war but two. He's fighting the war in which he must tango with a regime that refuses to acknowledge his talent simply because he's African American, while also representing his country that also views him as a social outcast or inferior during that time period. As one of Owens family members puts it eloquently in the film, if Owen wins the gold medal for completing the race then he will be just as hated if he chose not to go to Berlin in protest of the discrimination he received in America at the time. Jesse Owens was essentially a man, who society was going to be hard on regardless of which choice he made, but he made his decision and prevailed against all odds with humility, incredible strength, and determination. One of the films defining moments is when he receives assistance from one of the Aryan athletes on where he should make his leap during the race, followed by a scene of the two men on opposite sides having drinks together and talking about the differences between each others society and the Aryan athletes frustration with his government. This scene is poignant because it taps into the real issue the race is surrounded by, and shows two men on opposite sides putting aside their differences and playing against each other not just in the spirit of sports but also as friends. It is not just that scene but other suttle moments throughout the movie such as Owens and his manager becoming not just powerful allies but friends and Owens facing discrimination once he returned back to America as a reminder of the second battle he faces which makes this film memorable. Race is a great story told in a powerful film which deserves more attention and praise than what its received. Anyone who appreciates African American History, the Holocaust, or history in general will take a great liking to this movie as it's beautifully told and richly empowering with it's final message which says that racism is a horrible thing and that good will always triumph over evil. If you have a chance to see this movie then please do so. It's worth it.
8.5/10
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