‘Without Limits’ Stumbles In The Same Place ‘Pre’ Did

Oregon long-distance runner Steve Prefontaine broke a number of records in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, made a strong showing (but didn’t place) in the ill-fated 1972 Munich Olympics and died in an alcohol-related automobile accident in 1975 at age 24.

But he had a special star quality, he attracted a huge fan following during his life and his legend has inspired a noted television documentary and last year’s Disney-produced biopic, “Prefontaine,” which was filmed partly in Seattle.

“Without Limits” is yet another movie biography, and its credentials are a bit more impressive. It was co-produced by superstar Tom Cruise and written and directed by Robert Towne, who is generally regarded as the most important Hollywood screenwriter of the post-war era.

Not surprisingly, this second Prefontaine biopic is the better of the two features. The performances are strong, the running sequences are gripping (even when you know the outcome), and many of the scenes sparkle with the celebrated Towne wit and subtext.

Still, it fails to be a great sports drama. In the end, it’s not too much more successful than its predecessor in communicating why this cocky runner - who stubbornly refused to take coaching, who never even won a bronze medal - is so worthy of our attention.

Towne’s script (co-written with Olympic runner Kenny Moore) tells basically the same story as the last film: A confident boy from a lower-middle-class, German-speaking Coos Bay, Ore., family becomes the crowd-pleasing, record-setting star of the University of Oregon’s track team, comes up empty-handed in the ‘72 Olympics, develops some valuable self-awareness but dies young.

Much of the drama of Towne’s script rises out of the conflict between Pre’s insistence on “front-running” or maintaining the lead of the pack of runners - always giving his utmost - and his coach’s efforts to teach him that it’s often possible to win a race, with a smarter, more calculated effort. It’s a conflict that’s never quite resolved.

The film benefits from an unusual and highly charismatic performance by Billy Crudup as Prefontaine. Because he’s a terrific actor and a strong star presence, and because’s he’s not well known, he’s able to uncannily blend into the role and become one with the character. But, as good as it is in places, “Without Limits” fails to be a totally satisfying biography or a riveting competition drama. It never communicates a clear vision of its hero’s existential mind-set or makes a clear case for his unique contribution to his sport.

“Without Limits” Location: Newport Credits: Directed by Robert Towne, starring Billy Crudup, Donald Sutherland, Monica Potter Running time: 1:58 Rating: PG-13