Race (2016) [Movie Review]

Dir: Stephen Hopkins

Starring: Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis

Dur: 2 hrs 14 mins

Genre: Biography
Rating: 8/10

Jesse Owens was touted to be “the fastest man alive” that is until Usain Bolt showed up. Owens shattered records and established new ones in their place. His records stood until a few years ago. Jesse Owens was only a name to me. I knew very little about him except that he was a great sprinter and that he was a black American who won races and accolades for the country well before America could digest the reality that colour doesn’t matter. His story is really something… I’m glad people have found it worthwhile to bring it to the silver screen. His life is a witness and I’m glad the whole world can now see for itself and acknowledge the true greatness of the man. On this note, I heartily congratulate the director, screenwriters and the whole production team for taking up this project and producing a wonderful film.

 

The story is heart-warming and if you are an emotional character like me you will definitely be moved by the unfolding of events. Jesse or JC, as it’s really supposed to be, came from humble beginnings. He was talented and thanks to the goodwill of his school coach he was recommended to a college which had an ace track and field coach. Jesse puts his heart in to all that he does and before long begins to create a sensation with his field performance. His success only pushes him to greater things and his coach supports him like a loyal bulldog (of course, this is not the character of the coach but crudely can be described as his way of going about). Needless to say Owens did what no one thought possible.

The greatness of the film doesn’t lie in its photography but in the story it endeavours to tell. There are quite some moments which inspire and stir up emotion however, they were slightly lacking in effect. The story is set in the 1930’s and the chief focus is the Berlin Olympics of 1936. The film tries well to show the dynamics that went behind the hosting of the Olympics. America is shown as having played a big role in forcing the Germans to allow Jews and Blacks to compete at the games. Racial discrimination was widespread in America and Jesse had to undergo it every day of his life even after becoming world champion! Against this background, Jesse rises like a lotus in a filthy pond. He ran not only for the glory of it or for mere love of running, but he ran to prove a point. That is what strikes me as courageous and praiseworthy. His spirit of sportsmanship was big enough to overcome the harshest oppositions.

His story leads us to revive our faith in humanity. He is a gentleman through and through. Despite his achievements, he has no airs about him and meekly submits to the laws of the land. He has plenty to teach us. He is a real inspiration. Usain Bolt may hold the world record, but for me, Jesse Owens is the fastest man.