Filmmakers often reach back into history and create films based on real life heroes that overcome many obstacles in order to achieve greatness. Made up of the kind of stuff moviegoers with big hearts love to sink their teeth into, these films can be inspiring, uplifting, and leave viewers with a sense of awe on what can be done with drive and determination. Race, directed by Stephen Hopkins, takes place in the 1930’s and dives into the life of Jesse Owens, an African American Olympic hero that wowed the world with his amazing athletic achievements.
The story opens with Jesse (Stephen James) heading off to Ohio State University with proud parents sending off the first person in their family to land an opportunity for higher education. Jesse’s stellar track record as an athlete with tremendous potential proceeds him, and coach Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis) seeks out the young student. Larry entices Jesse to work hard and follow unique training tactics to get the young man to the next level in his running career enabling him to achieve the kind of glory he never thought would be in his grasp. Jesse and Larry become an unstoppable team and make their way to Berlin to participate in the 1936 Olympics. It is at this world famous event that Jesse Owens marks his place in history. The amazing athlete not only wins 4 gold medals but does the impossible and sets world records that no one will be able to beat for many years to come.
Race covers the hardships and challenges a young black athlete encounters during a time when racism was at its peak in America. Those training for sporting events simply want to compete and do what they do best but are often used as pawns in political agendas. Jesse gets caught with the dilemma of weather or not to participate in the Olympic games when he is approached by a leader of the NAACP not to participate as a stand against the Nazi regime that openly discriminates against people of color. The politician tries to convince Jesse that boycotting the event will send a message of defiance to the Nazi ideology that they are the superior Aryan race. Would going to the games send the message that Jesse is betraying his own kind or would that choice only succeed in letting an oppressive establishment get the upper-hand? The choice is a difficult one, but in the end Jesse opts to go Germany and do what he does best – race and represent the country he loves.
In Berlin, Leni Riefenstahl (Carice van Houten), a famous filmmaker, is commissioned by the Germans to film the Olympic track competition to showcase German runners as a means of propaganda for the Nazi cause, to prove the excellence of German athletes as part of a superior race. But instead she winds up giving an honest account in her film and shows off Jesse winning 4 gold medals making him the real star of her movie. Somehow, veering off to explore this angle disrupts the story, which is unfortunate because had it not been for Leni’s film Jesse’s amazing achievements at the games may never have been recorded. Leni Riefenstahl was an important player in getting Jesse recognition but winds up being depicted more as someone defying Hitler, but this seems far-fetched and unconvincing.
We go behind the scenes and watch members of the Olympic committee maneuvering their way through negotiations. Each side using their stars as pawns in their chess games as a means to outsmart the other side to achieve their own agenda.
The filmmakers work hard to show Jesse dealing with racial slurs, discrimination, and limitations people try to put on him due to his race. The champion of this story must overcome major adversity while keeping himself motivated to keep pushing forward. But the depiction of the difficulties the lead character faces are often reduced to passing moments and lack the grit and realty of what young black men faced during that era. It almost feels like everything is just a little too neat and tidy when racism is addressed, and a true picture of what African Americans dealt with is never fully uncovered. There needed to be more grit and darkness to make the struggles of those facing racism more believable.
Scenes of Jesse breaking world records, winning his gold medals, and a long intense walk into the Berlin Stadium all make for impressive glossy moments in this tale of a world class track star. The training sequences and coach Larry’s cheeky dialogue bring humor, color and personality to a film that might have fallen flat if it relied only on the facts. The romance between Jesse and Ruth (Shanice Banton), his wife and high school sweetheart, is woven nicely into the film and shows a very human side of a man who only wants to provide a better life for his family.
Stephen James is cast perfectly as the humble and honest Olympian. It’s an earnest performance of a man struggling to make it with so many strikes against him, and comes across as touching and inspirational. There just needed to be a more in-depth look into who Jesse was as a man versus what he accomplished to make him feel more real to those viewing. Jason Sudeikis is very likable as the supportive and loving coach pushing his protege forward. We do get strong performances from William Hurt and Jeremy Irons playing officials pushing their agendas through to make the 1936 games happen on their terms.
Race is a gentle light look at the life of an American hero that will likely not win a gold at the box office, but still has just enough to get to the finish line making this feel good movie worth a watch.
