'TRACKTOWN': Four Stars (Out of Five)
An indie sports comedy-drama about a long-distance runner that twists her ankle while preparing for the Olympics. She's then forced to take a day off, for the first time in her ambitious young career. The movie stars debut actress Alexi Pappas, who also co-wrote and co-directed the film (marking her directorial debut as well). It was also co-written and co-directed by sophomore feature filmmaker Jeremy Teicher, who previously directed and co-wrote (with Pappas) the 2012 indie drama 'TALL AS THE BAOBAB TREE'. The film also costars Chase Offerle, Andy Buckley and Rachel Dratch. It was filmed all in Eugene, Oregon and it tells the story of a Eugene college athlete. I really enjoyed it.
Plumb Marigold (Pappas) is a young college athlete, who's been obsessively preparing for the Olympics for several years now. She lives with her father (Buckley), a former track star himself, who also excessively helps his daughter train. Plumb's mother (Dratch) had a mental breakdown years earlier, and she now lives with her own parents. Plumb twists her ankle, just a few days before Olympic trials, and she's forced to take a day off from her normal obsessive daily routine. On her day off she deeply contemplates her lonely life, as she also falls for a local young man named Sawyer (Offerle).
The movie is highlighted completely by Pappas' performance. She's excellent in the film and she really makes you feel for her character, and totally relate to her personal drama. The other actors do a good job as well, but their only purpose really is to support Pappas. The movie is completely about her personal issues and struggles, with loneliness and self identity being the primary ones. I think it's a really positive film for that reason. It's also beautifully shot and directed. I also love the fact that it takes place all in Eugene, Oregon (being from Oregon), and I think Pappas is definitely a talent to watch out for.
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