User reviews

Being an unlimited hydroplane "nut" (I grew up on the sport and lived only 12 miles away from the Seattle racecourse) I've been excited about this movie's release, since I first heard about it as far back as 1999 when I was at the General Motors Cup at Seafair race. Needless to say, I've waited nearly 6 years for the movie.

The storyline to the movie was good. I liked the story about father and son's and the love of the sport. It's easy to tell, that unlimited hydroplane racing is in their blood. I especially liked Jake Lloyd's character, Mike McCormick, because in some ways, it reminded me of my childhood. Except I used to race wooden hydroplanes with my friends on my parent's lawn and I had hydro pictures and posters on my wall.

I Also liked the story of how the city of Madison, Indiana's struggle to host the American Powerboat Association (APBA), Gold Cup. For those unfamiliar with the sport, the Gold Cup is the oldest motor sports trophy and is one of the most coveted races every hydro team wants to win.

What disappointed me about the movie was, I sort of felt that Hollywood was trying to alter hydroplane history and facts. Here's 's some of them.

• The All red paint scheme of the Miss Budweiser, was not used by owner Bernie Little and the race team until 1994.

-The second race on the circuit was in Chicago. There was no race there.

If they wanted to show another race site in a big city, why didn't they use Detroit? It was the 3rd race on the circuit that year and it has a longtime history in the sport. It seems like they insulted Detroit; I can see many longtime Detroit hydro race fans are insulted over this.

-Seattle was the 3rd race site. I assume they wanted to show Seattle, since it has a longtime history in the sport, like Detroit, but they moved it up about a month early, when it usually follows Madison and the date has traditionally been on the first weekend of August.

-The "us vs them" attitude in the movie or "David vs Goliath". Although it is very true that there are many rivalries in the sport and it looks good in the storyline, it seems seldom that you see this attitude all the time as was depicted.

Many times I've seen when one race team is in trouble, especially the smaller race "camps" ones like the Miss Madison, I've seen many competing race teams help each other out, by sending their pit crew members to the troubled race camp, or loaning them parts for their boat, so they can race. Miss Budweiser owner, the late, Bernie Little for example, has done this over the years because he has said, it is important to have those boats out on the racecourse competing. I'm not saying that what you saw in the movie doesn't happen, but to me, it's very rare.

That being said, when I look at the movie overall, I liked it, despite it's faults. It had many good qualities, like the father/son storyline and the city and race team's struggles, like I mentioned. This will be a good movie for the hydro fan as well as a ports fan. I'll buy the DVD when it comes out.

On a final note, here's a little trivia from the movie:

-The driver of the miss Budweiser at the time was actually, the late Dean Chenoweth (His surviving family probably didn't give their consent to use his name).

-The original Miss Madison from that time, couldn't be repaired and restored in time for the movie. Instead, The Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum put together a replica of that Miss Madison, using the Savair's Mist hull in her place. The boat has affectionately been referred to as the "Mist Madison".

-The Atlas van Lines, was actually, the Pay 'n Pak's 'Lil Buzzard.

This is, to my knowledge, the only feature film ever to be made about professional boat racing. And it tells what is probably the most compelling story the sport has ever produced: how the little river town of Madison, Indiana, came to host the 1971 APBA Gold Cup race (the sport's equivalent of the Indy 500) and how driver Jim McCormick struggled to lead Madison's community-owned racing boat, the Miss Madison, into the race.

As a sports movie, "Madison" feels fairly similar to the Disney baseball movie, "The Rookie", which came out a few years ago. It places the sports story squarely within the context of family life, and its fundamental message is that of the value of community--especially small-town communities like Madison. (Hoosier rocker John "Small Town" Mellencamp even provides the narration for the movie.) Since this is a story about small-town underdogs taking on the big city favorites, it resembles other Indiana sports movies in many ways--"Breaking Away", "Rudy", "Hoosiers", etc. Its storyline is not really unique in that respect. But the movie is reasonably well done, and it really pulls you into the excitement of boat racing in the final sequence, through some really nice cinematography.

I guess I can't help but feel like there was a missed opportunity here, though. It is unlikely that there will ever be another movie made about professional boat racing, so it would have been nice if "Madison" could have taught us more about what makes the people who are involved in the sport tick. There is one interesting comment made towards the end of the film about how "only someone who's raced boats can understand why so many men have given their lives for the sport." There was a lot behind that statement, I think--especially when made in reference to a sport which has such a notoriously dangerous reputation as boat racing. I just wish I could have come away from this movie with an even better understanding of where it came from.

Besides that...this is a nice little movie, and a fine tribute to Jim McCormick and the people of Madison. Go ahead and take your kids to it, and don't forget to stick around for the final credits...

I just saw this film at Sundance 2001.

A feel good movie that's honest. The treatment is respectful and moving. The acting is very good, production value is very good. Good casting. It really captures the essence of the struggles of life along the Ohio in the middle of the 20th Century.

I look forward to seeing it again during the theatrical release.

Not yet, anyway. Motto: keep the smaller venues in play. Unapolegeticaly old fashioned and drenched heavily in the spray of cinematic clichés, this time capsule of a family drama clicks on all cylinders. I, however, might be a wee bit biased. I think I saw the Gold Cup Hydroplane Race depicted here on "Wide World of Sports," back in 1971. I was eight. It's one thing to recall the first moon landing, and another thing, entirely, to recall a long ago boat race in Indiana. I must be nuts. But it does create an odd, nostalgic feeling for me. The young boy, played by the kid from the new Star Wars films, emotes excitement well, but is lacking in conveying sorrow or remorse. He does, however, have a nifty Schwin bike: high handle bars, banana seat, and a sweet gear shift. Watching him peddle that two-wheeler through Madison, the Grass Roots blasting on the soundtrack, stirs memories from anyone who was around that boy's age, back then. Like me. The underdog "Miss Madison" team from the small, backwater village of Madison, a location the racing circuit wishes would gracefully fade away, somehow pulls it all together to compete in the big race. Along the watery way, the team suffers through a lack of funds for repairs, blown engines and the death of a skilled driver. It's all quite routine--but, ultimately, well done. The movie had the misfortune of spending four years on the studio's misfit shelf. Fitting. It's better than that. So crank up the air conditioner full blast and enjoy the final blow out.

Sometimes I just need a nostalgic, feel good, predictable, family movie loosely based on actual events. This is that movie. It is based in Madison, Indiana and on the banks of the Ohio River.in the very early 1970's. Although the central theme is Unlimited Hydroplane powerboat racing, the movie will appeal to gear-heads as well as non because it has just enough balance of family and community aspect. This nostalgia inevitably associated here made me envious of the simplicity of a long gone era. It has an excellent tie in of ABC's Wide World of Sports coverage of the event. Look, this movie doesn't deserve any Academy Awards, but it does deserve a look. Allow it to make you feel good. It did me. There aren't enough movies made like this anymore. And that's too bad.

Madison is not too bad-—if you like simplistic, non-offensive, "family-friendly" fare and, more importantly, if you know absolutely nothing about unlimited hydroplane racing. If, like me, you grew up with the sport and your heroes had names like Musson, Muncey, Cantrell, Slovak, etc., prepare to be disappointed.

Professional film critics have commented at length on the formulaic nature of the film and its penchant for utilizing every hackneyed sports cliché in the book. I needn't repeat what they've said. What I felt was sadly missing was any sense of the real excitement of unlimited hydro racing in the "glory years" (which many would argue were already past in 1971).

Yes, it was wonderful to see the old classic boats roaring down the course six abreast, though it was clear that the restored versions (hats off to the volunteers at the Hydroplane and Race Boat Museum) were being nursed through the scenes at reduced speed. But where was the sound? Much of the thrill of the old hydros was the mind-numbing roar of six Allison or Rolls-Merlin aircraft engines, wound up to RPM's never imagined by their designers, hitting the starting line right in front of you. You didn't hear it, you FELT it. Real hydro buffs know exactly what I'm talking about. There's none of that in Madison. Instead, every racing scene is buried under what is supposed to be a "heroic" musical score.

And then there are the close-up shots of the drivers, riding smoothly and comfortably in the cockpits as if they were relaxing in the latest luxury limousines, in some cases taking time to smile evilly as they contemplate how best to thwart the poor home-town hero. Or, in one particularly ridiculous shot, taking time to spot Jake Lloyd giving a "Rocky" salute from a bridge pier. In reality, some unlimited drivers wore flak vests to minimize the beating they took as the boats slammed across the rock-hard water at speeds above 150 mph.

As one reviewer so aptly put it, "The sport deserves better than this."

Finally, since another user brought up anachronisms, I'll add one: the establishing shot of Seattle shows the Kingdome and Safeco Field. Neither existed in 1971

This turned out to be a "sleeper," a good film that few people have heard of, I suspect, outside of Madison, Indiana. Being in an area that used to host hydroplane races, it intrigued me. I also usually enjoy movies that star Jim Caviezel.

Mainly, this was a nice film with a feel-good David vs. Goliath story based on a real-life occurrence back in 1971. It involves the sport of hydroplane racing, meaning extremely fast boats raced in different bodies of water around the USA. A town nearby where I live used to have these, but I haven't heard of them in decades.

Anyway, this story takes place in a small Indiana town that was on the skids by 1970 but plants closing all the time and people moving elsewhere. The hopes of its boat, "Miss Madison" also seem to be about lost until, as fate would have it, the town is awarded the opportunity to host the "Gold Cup," the biggest event of the sport.

A string of failures, followed by new disasters, include the death of the pilot, near-death of another one and the boat being just about totaled in the process. How the town - led by former racer "Jim McCormick" (Caviezel) - can raise the money to resurrect the town, the boat and the driver himself, are all shown here. McCormick not only has to pull off several miracles but also try to win the support of his wife and son, who have had their fill of disappointments with this sport.

The film winds up being a sports movie and a drama about a family, a team of workers and an entire small town trying to pull together and beat tremendous odds. I have to use two clichés here: it's a heartwarming story and, yes, it's a good family movie. You don't have to worry about offensive material. It reminds me, in spots, of a made-for-TV movie. It kind of plays old-fashioned corny but in a way that makes you glad you watched it.

Through the convincing acting ofJim Caviezel the drama unfolds in a predictable but interesting way. The end is no surprise but the premise is unbelievable.

This is a typical story of the underdog from a small town that needs to win big. While the racing scenes are a little underwhelming, I can appreciate that it is based off a true story.

I'd like to first address the folks who haven't seen the film and are unfamiliar with it, or its topic...

This sleeper film, as noted, is based around the true story of an under-dog hometown racing boat team that tried to win the "big one" against long odds in front of their home crowd. But the boat, the effort required to make the race happen, and the race itself is really secondary to the relationship between a 10 year-old son (Jake Lloyd) and his father (Jim Caviezel) as the demands of work, family, the sense of civic duty and the boat begin to pull the relationship, as well as his marriage, apart under a great deal of stress.

Some have criticized this film as a formula driven "feel-good" sports film, and I suppose that this is true to a point. However, the acting is very believable and heart-felt. In fact, I think the emotion that Lloyd exhibits in the film is far superior to the rather wooden appearance he later made in Star Wars as young Anakin. Caviezel also does a great job as Jim McCormick, the father and husband who finds himself thrown into situations not necessarily of his choosing.

The cinematography definitely conceals the low-budget nature of the film. Filmed in the "where it really happened" location of Madison, Indiana, "Madison" definitely shows off this visual gem on the Ohio River as well as its surrounding country side and wide vistas of the river valley.

The film was shot and then set on a shelf for about five years. I was tickled to see that it at least was allowed distribution to the general public via DVD.

This film will fill an evening of family entertainment and allow you to see a fine performance from two actors before they went on to add their talents to two block busters: The Passion, and The Phantom Menace.

OK, part two... This is for the fans of the sport featured in this film that have been critical of the way things are portrayed in the movie. Two words: Lighten Up. I've been a sporadic fan of the Hydros, my in-laws are from the Madison area, and I had the fortune to be at the 1971 Madison "Gold Cup" race (granted I was seven at the time) and remember the hoopla surrounding the race (I also still have my admission badge). Despite all of the carping about the dramatic license taken with the story line, the fact remains that the core of the film is true. People looking for a documentary on the Miss Madison of 1971 should look elsewhere.

This film is hardly the first non-fiction related sports event that has been "re-worked" for the big screen. Take a look at any informed fan's review of their favorite past-time as presented in the cinema and you'll find plenty of the same: "XYZ batted left-handed, but was a 'righty' in the film", "They didn't really play XYZ in the final game", "They got the score wrong", "The fuel those race cars use burns flameless", "They spliced footage from different locations together during the scenes of the game", "They didn't use that type of equipment back then", etc., etc., etc. Here's a newsflash people: Movie-goers that aren't passionate about your favorite sport don't care. That's right, read that again... "They don't care." They want good "entertainment". Sure it's nice if all the facts are dramatic enough to make it to the screen, but don't be surprised if you see a "blow-out" turned into a "nail-biter", or a plot twist or two thrown in for effect. Don't get all bent out of shape and let it ruin your enjoyment of the film. People aren't going to think "Madison" is a fraud if they learn, among other things, that a P-51 was never parked in the courthouse square in Columbus in 1971. Nor to they care what the APBA calendar looked like that year.

At least the plot and acting in "Madison" are great. My number one sports passion is open-wheel Champcar racing and when "Driven" came out, not only was the film full of technical inaccuracies and impossibilities, the plot and acting stunk. Now THAT was an embarrassment to that form of racing! Finally, considering that Jim McCormick's son, his widow, and many others were more than happy with the treatment that "Madison" gave to the U-6 of 1971. If they are OK with it, then why can't you be too? If nothing else, it gives people a peak into the world of something they might never have heard of before: unlimited hydroplane racing. It might actually be good for the sport… For example, I now have a pretty good idea where I'll be come next 4th of July weekend. Sitting on the banks of the Ohio, eating one of my mother in-law's ham salad sandwiches, while watching the hydros pass under the Madison-Milton bridge sounds pretty good right now!

No wait, different movie ... so no pun intended if you wonder. This has quite the cast assembled ... back then no one was aware about ... well what certain actors were thinking (rabbit holes and all that) .... a better more relaxed time, when you did not have to worry what some people do .. how crazy they might be in their convictions ... so just enjoy a movie about persevering .. which I reckon you couldn't do, if you are not at least a little bit crazy(?) ... while I have never been there and do not know the real story ... this is fun to watch for sure.

And that is true even though it is quite predictable (again no matter if you heard about this before) ... because it is about the feel good stuff ... in a sense! But the actors here and their quality, make you forget about most things ... except the characters they portray ... and whatever their goals are ... well shot and edited too.

I really like Jim Caveizel and I really wanted to like this movie. But as it went on, even though it is supposedly based on real events, I found the story to be predictable and very unoriginal. All the classic elements of the underdog sports figure story are present: the semi-evil rival, the misunderstanding wife, the idolizing son, the driven hero, the supporting townsfolk, and all the tragedy and obstacles that must be overcome. I don't know anything about boat racing, but as the film went on, one could easily have inserted any sport and still had the same story. I'm sure that the original story was worthy of telling, but I find it hard to believe that the original story was as formulaic as this script was. I'd have to say the producers did the memory of these events a disservice in the writing.

I have lived in and around Madison for 47 years. In the movie the voice over says that the Miss Madison had not won a race since 1973. Well that all changed in 2001 (30 years after the movie was set) when the Miss Madison won the Gold Cup in front of the hometown crowd a second time.

In that race Steve David brought the Miss Madison to the win in his first appearance in our hometown. He has since stayed with the team and they are showing quite respectfully.

The sport has meant a lot to the town but unfortunately the fan basis seems to have tapered off. As a youngster I remember the river bank being filled like it was portrayed in the movie. I hope this movie helps breath some life into both the sport for the Miss Madison and the town of Madison.

Born in Cincinnati and raised in Indiana, I witnessed the Madison races a few times in the 1960's. Was great fun and very exciting. The movie of course was ninety percent fiction. Stealing an engine from a WWII P-51 Mustang in the center of a neighboring town is pure folly.

But the property team did a great job of resurrecting older boats for the movie and actually getting them to run real fast.

Not sure what else to put down here to satisfy the six hundred character minimum. Does everyone have to meet this quota...I see many reviews way less than six hundred characters. I need eleven more characters. There, done.

This film is one to watch if having difficulty falling asleep. I'm from Madison, Wisconsin, the largest of the 19 Madison's. I have never been to Madison, Indiana, but would like to visit. Madison, Wisconsin could hold regattas and do, with sailboats, as opposed to power boats. Perhaps they do hold powerboat races, since I'm frequently out of town.

That aside, the film doesn't do justice to any large or small city. I didn't become engaged to Madison, Indiana by watching this film. Was I supposed to? Since when does powerboat racing turn the average film viewer on? This film just doesn't hold the interest of myself and others who watched the movie with me.

The Bindley Brothers did a great job in creating this movie I can not wait for the movie to be released. I have seen the movie at the 2001 Heartland Film Fest. It was an unforgettable evening. Those in attendance included, Jim Caviezel, Jake Lloyd, The McCormick Family (Bonnie & Michael McCormick). I feel that the movie is a wonderful must see. I think Jim McCormick would be proud.

I had the opportunity to see this movie when Mark Fauser visited MU. This is one of the best movies I've seen all year long! It is a great "feel good" true story! The acting is great! The plot is great! This is a must see!

This is a heartwarming, true story with a great performance by Jim Caviezel. It puts the small town of Madison, Ind., an historic town along the Ohio River in its best light. However, this film's release has been delayed for a variety of reasons including the ongoing problems with the Premiere Marketing and Distribution Group, which was charged with promoting this fine movie. There are shades of Mayberry in the message of this movie. And, if you lived or been to Madison you'll love the wonderful scenery. It's well worth seeing. Bill Bindley does a fine job directing. However, if there are four or five good movies out there to see, this one probably wouldn't be at the top of list. I hope this movie comes out as currently scheduled at the end of January. The people of Madison deserve to see their hard work -- as well as the cast, crew and actors -- finally get the wide distribution it deserves. Sundance and the Heartland Film Festival acclaims are nice, but this movie is solid entertainment that the general public should have an opportunity to see.

Fantastic! I just saw a raw unedited screening in Cincinnati over the weekend and it was fabulous. This movie is going to be a HUGE success and a big BOOM for Madison Indiana, it's tourism industry, the Madison Regatta and hydroplane racing in general. I'm not from Madison but I enjoy visiting there whenever I get the chance. It was great to see so much of Madison's beautiful architecture and so many familiar sites in the movie , the Broadway Fountain, Shipley's, Hinkles, etc... That beautiful, historic old riverboat "The Belle Of Louisville" even makes an appearance. I understand the movie is slated for a somewhat limited release beginning April 22. If you live in or near one of the cities where it is being released GO SEE THIS MOVIE, It's awesome. If not, sit tight, trust me it'll be coming soon to a theater near you. Jim Caviezel does an excellent job at portraying Jim McCormick. McCormick's "Never say never" attitude comes shining through in the end as the small town, local boy makes good on his commitment to the town. This is a great family film, don't hesitate to take your children. No nudity, no violence, and no vulgar language, this one's a winner.

I was waiting to see this movie since I heard about it, in Madison. I was a bit disappointed at how hokey it is, but at lease I can enjoy the scenery. You sure get to know the 421 bridge *G* and I loved seeing those riverfront scenes because I've been there many times.

I am in Madison on the first week of April most years, for a hot pepper festival at the Thomas Family Winery. I love these old Ohio River towns.

In the lodge at Clifty Falls State Park (on the west edge of town), they have another Miss Madison on display, a much smaller boat, I think from the 1940s or 1950s, with a Crosley engine.

Oh, one other thing - when the father and son go into the cavern, that's an unfinished railroad tunnel in the Clifty park, you can walk through it. Bring a lantern, you'll look funny walking the trail with it in the daytime, but it will be handy in the tunnel...

Best movie at Sundance Film Festival. More than the classic small town underdogs overcome overwhelming odds - the wonderful story and character's emotions pour out of the script, editing, filming, sound, etc. TOP NOTCH!!!! Must see. Great ready to feel the frustrations, tears, and cheers!! GO SEE MADISON!!

Plus if your a Breaking Away fan, you got to see Paul Dooley. Who better to play the mayor of Madison, Indiana!

This is a great, great movie. Whether or not you are a hydroplane fan, this movie inspires every small town in America that you can come together as a community to accomplish great things. Jim C. even took less $ to finish this movie and it took nearly 3 1/2 years to find the financing to release it...it was WELL worth the wait. I highly recommend buying/renting this movie, you will not be disappointed. One note that could be considered an "easter egg." If you are a hydroplane fan and watch the DVD extras, you'll notice a comment that Jim C. makes about the death of a hydroplane legend. I believe he is misquoted and was trying to say Bill Muncey. Something for them to consider the next time they release this DVD. Regardless, the movie is one of the best films I have seen in a long, long time. Perfect actors were chosen for their roles, and the setting and story are wonderful for that small town, good ole' American tale.

Best,

James