Sprinter

This is quite a routine sports picture and not many outside of athletics would be too excited about the story. The drama is fairly straightforward without making too many waves but it does showcase the absolute dedication, to be a success and how even the very best can be led down the wrong path. In a movie concerning Jamaican sprinting, the only highlight was a cameo appearance, by the legendary Usain Bolt.

Sprinter isn't a movie that I will remember. It's a movie where I need to write a review immediately after seeing it otherwise I won't remember anything about it next week. It's just not that interesting as a story, often cliché, not that great of acting (actually pretty mediocre). The funny thing is that I read a reviewer saying the annoying thing were the subtitles. I thought they were the best thing of the movie because if you're not a Jamaican yourself you won't understand half of the movie.

I really like Sprinter and I think it gave a different side to a non-American athlete. It really showed what he had up against him while still trying to go to school and do track and field. The Jamaican ascents were really strong. I had to turn on Closed Captions to make sure I was understanding what they were saying completely.

I really enjoyed how they showed us who won the race at the end of the movie.

I see a common thread in outside reviews that the film is riddled with cliches and that may be so, but at the very heart of it is an empowering and inspirational story that echoes the very essence of what it means to be a Jamaican. That fight within us to endure and overcome even when life throws us to the ground. Despite the many struggles that the Jamaican people face whether it be because of socio economic status or family ties, there is this unrelenting resilience in Jamaican citizens that propel us to overcome no matter what. I felt the film really captured that, especially by showcasing this in the standpoint of Akeem a youth who is struggling to keep focused despite all the chaos around him. Being a Jamaican youth myself I have also come upon this feat and even have witnessed close friends, that go through the same struggle. So to see Akeem going through what he went through but then making it out is very uplifting and inspirational for many young Jamaicans out there. Also I really appreciate the positive male relationships that is portrayed in the film. In our Jamaican society it is hard to find positive male influence and although Germaine and Akeem and the father had their strifes in the beginning am glad that it turned around for the better.

I am very proud of this movie. It captures quite well the authenticity of the Jamaican people and experience in a wholesome way, something that is rarely ever seen on screen. I really hope that more films such as these will be made and that where the improvements are needed they will be made. Jamaica's popularity in the film industry is relatively young and so where there are shortcomings in the film there is always room to grow.

But for the most part. Big up Jamaica! :)

Interesting story with los of Jamaican color and language and a surprise appearance of Usain Bolt. Dale Elliott does a credible job of acting.