Lots of subtext ....



I like the "slow burn" of this movie. Lots of moments where we watch what's happening on the actors faces and figure out what is going through their minds rather than lots of machine gun dialog. Lot's of the story seems to happen in your head, rather than in the screen. My guess is the script for this movie was relatively short. The screenplay however was probably quite indepth. Seemed very realistic as well.

In a lot of ways this movie reminded me of Lemans. Although this had much more of a tangible storyline, and Lemans was more of a music video, rather thany a story.

The one thing I disliked about it (and this is typical of Reford movies) was all the lovey-dovey stuff. Added little to the story, other than a distraction.

All in all a good movie. I like older movies like this that sort of become accidental scrapbooks for the sport. Fun movie.



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Watched it this morning and totally agree.And not a high five or "dude" in sight

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There tends to be a lack of lovey dovey stuff in several films from his prime.

Its that man again!!

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I thought there was something noirish in the title: after the high of winning, the only way was downhill.

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"After the high of winning, the only way was downhill".

The dynamic's very similar in these regards to next Ritchie/Redford collaboration The Candidate, where Redford's rookie politician wins the elections and is suddenly faced with a future in the stuffy air of power corridors where all his original idealism is liable to be snuffed out. Michael Ritchie used to be pretty adept at sniffing out & subtly satirizing the underspinnings of the chunks of life he was depicting... Smile may be his most successful effort in these regards.



"facts are stupid things" Ronald Reagan

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"The one thing I disliked about it (and this is typical of Reford movies) was all the lovey-dovey stuff. Added little to the story, other than a distraction."

I vehemently disagree. The affair with the PR person is calculated by her. Redford's character is an up-and-coming American skier and the young woman sees a perfect opportunity for product placement that may translate to an increase in market shares in the United States. Once Redford's character realizes this, he grows just a bit, especially in light of how he treated one of girls back home (had sex with her and bolted).

I believe you're supposed to see his character's growth from a cocky young man to a seasoned racer. And these "lovey-dovey stuff" add to the dynamics of the character.

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I believe you're supposed to see his character's growth from a cocky young man to a seasoned racer. And these "lovey-dovey stuff" add to the dynamics of the character.


What I always wonder though, is what is it that made him this way. The only thing in my mind is his father's cold demeanor and his treatment toward his son. Although, I wouldn't think this alone would create Dave's sort of entitled attitude. I expected him to come from such a different background. Although, I know where you come from doesn't always dictate the kind of person you grow up to be.


A list of My Favourite 100 Films
http://www.imdb.com/list/ls076253329/

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