1. Made too soon after 42 (the 2013 Jackie Robinson movie). The stories are virtually identical except this one is on the racetrack instead of on the baseball field.
2. The trailer focused way too much on Owens' white coach instead of on Owens.
3. The rap music in the trailer makes it seem you can't take the movie seriously.
I haven't seen the movie but I think it would be a shame if it's so generic that it's too similar to 42.
The fact that these two men both broke racial barriers doesn't mean the films should lack distinction. The Olympic backdrop, the WW2 context and Owens' personality should be enough to carve a unique film.
PORTRAYAL OF JESSE
However, looking at the trailer it doesn't appear the movie has worked to capture much of Owens' personality. Sadly, I don't think this actor worked hard enough to emulate Owens' confidence, humor and speech pattern.
If you listen to Owens public speeches at Berlin (such as here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLGj3JnblqA), it's clear he's not really the docile, boring bumpkin that it this actor is portraying him to be.
I'm getting tired of these films about historic figures where the actors do not work to capture the true spirit, personality, power and presence of the icons.
It does a tremendous disservice. Of course, I am reacting to the trailer not the entire film, so I will try to hold out hope.
THE OBNOXIOUS COACH
I too do not like the focus on Larry Snyder as the impetus behind Jesse as if Jesse lacked drive. This coach comes off as obnoxious and by comparison Jesse comes off as too weak.
Jesse Owens was already a strong runner by the time he reached college, having developed under his high school coach. He credited that coach more than Synder for the runner he became.
Synder comes off as if he's superior to Jesse and talking down to him IMO which is unfortunate given the themes of racial superiority-inferiority in this movie. I understand Snyder and Owens were "friends" but this is not the type of bond the movie creates.
THE RAP
I can't believe this is happening again. Selma was already sullied with rap.
I don't know why anyone thinks blacks of the 1930s,1940s, 1950s, or 1960s -- especially someone like Owens who was noted for elegance and grace -- would want to be associated with rap.
Why can't film makers stick to period music and scores. Disgusting to put rap, one of the lowest "art" forms to emerge from black culture in this film.
Perfect response, Synthia7. I will say that I have listened to CHRISTIAN Rap, even managed to hear three songs. I soon realize it's the styling of the music I cannot handle for long periods of time.
shareTo be clear though: It's not the filmmaker/director that is using the rap. The music is likely just for the marketing and perhaps the end credits but I doubt it's in the actual film. They're using rap like 42 used rap during its marketing in an attempt to attract a young audience.
shareBlack culture has given us Jazz,Rock,and Blues. Why do they spoil movies like this with rap?
share[deleted]
All black movies fail? Yeah right, keep thinking that. Like most black movies, even that garbage Fifty Shades of Black, Race made its budget back and then some in the opening weekend.
shareBlack culture has given us Jazz,Rock,and Blues. Why do they spoil movies like this with rap?
Oh do *beep* off! Hip hop/rap is the most creative and dynamic art form to emerge in the world in the past 50 years. That is why it is the most dominant form of ART period. And will continue to do so for good while.
shareI'm hoping this film will do well but sadly if it does not it will be due to the primary historical subject matter....I much fear that Jesse Owens Olympic achievements have been overshadowed by Jackie Robinson's breaking of the color barrier. Meaning that in the collective consciousness of most Americans that was the defining moment in sports that set the stage for future generations of Black Athletes.....
Remember with all of Owens achievemetns, he came back to US which was very entrenched in institutionalized racism and it wasn't until the Post WW2 era where things started to change among them the integration of the US Armed services...
Tavis Smiley recently interviewed both lead actors and even he admitted as a Black Man he feels very ambivalent about the film and why did it take so many years to make it to the screen?
A sign of the dumbed-down times we live in: when entertainment is labelled art. Oh, sorry, ART. Sure, not everybody can rap, and only a few can rap well. But the same goes with trapeze artists - who'd never call their vocation "art", even if they're known as 'artists' of a type.
Just because creativity is involved, does not elevate something into a form of (true) artistry.
You'll disagree and probably respond, but I don't want to hijack this thread (about Race) any further. As long as you know rap is far from universally accepted as an art form, and that there are reasons for that.
Please click on 'reply' at the post you're responding to. Thanks.share
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
It's actually very niche..... you're obviously in the US as here in europe rap and hip hop occupy just a tiny percentage of the charts....
i lived and work in the US and know that it's pretty much dominating music over there, even influencing rock artists and pretty much taken over american pop music, but out here people don't care for it so much......we're too classy to fall for it really and it's only the black or low class white sections of society that pay rap music any notice
@fu jac
Oh,please---rap's been popular in Europe for years---maybe not in your particular country it isn't, but that's just you. Over here in the U.S., rap's been popular in the mainstream for years, and it's liked by everyone from the "low class" as you put it, to the "high class", thank you very much. Just because you don't like it doesn't make it any less important to us hip-hop fans.
Possibly the most idiotic thing I've ever seen written.
shareLol dat post makez u da lowest "life" form on earth
Werd 2 ur mudda, bruddafckka
How about the fact that they aren't really advertising it. I've hardly seen any commercials for it.
shareor that its just not very good and looks a bit boring?
shareMade too soon after 42
It has already grossed over four times its budget. Not a blockbuster, but far from a failure.
share[deleted]
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@nairfaisal
RACE only came out earlier this year---that's three years after the Jackie Robinson film, so how is that "too soon"? Explain that, please. Also, there was no rap in the film at all. I've actually seen the film, and it was pretty good. You can't always tell by a trailer what a film's going to be like, anyway. See the film before you make all these judgements about it, please, because it's actually pretty good.