Barry, a supervisor in a brick factory in Johanesburg, is a man that wants to train some of his workers for the grueling Comrade marathon. His superior comes to him early in the story to tell him he is replacing him with a younger, more capable black man. Barry, who is of retirement age, doesn't take the news kindly because it will separate him from the four athletes he is training and feels they will not have the discipline he demands of them.
One day Barry discovers a young woman running. She is Christine, who shows all the characteristics to make an excellent long distance runner and who will do well at the Comrade. Barry takes her under his wing and even brings her to his suburban home, something that is not looked kindly by the white neighbors who object of the intrusion.
Barry's demands and how he deals with the training of Christine makes the young woman leave him. She needs a job and has to find her own way in the world. As the marathon day comes close, Christine and Barry are reunited, but on her terms. Christine goes to win the race as the first South African black woman to do so.
Jean Stewart's film doesn't seem to make up its mind where to go. It's not realistic the way he approaches the way he sets his story. One goes along, because it's a predictable feel good movie, where we know before hand how will it end.
Armin Mueller Stahl is good as Barry, the man who has tried for the Comrade himself, and failed. Nthati Moshesh is appealing as Christine, a dark beauty who makes a valuable contribution to the film.
One day Barry discovers a young woman running. She is Christine, who shows all the characteristics to make an excellent long distance runner and who will do well at the Comrade. Barry takes her under his wing and even brings her to his suburban home, something that is not looked kindly by the white neighbors who object of the intrusion.
Barry's demands and how he deals with the training of Christine makes the young woman leave him. She needs a job and has to find her own way in the world. As the marathon day comes close, Christine and Barry are reunited, but on her terms. Christine goes to win the race as the first South African black woman to do so.
Jean Stewart's film doesn't seem to make up its mind where to go. It's not realistic the way he approaches the way he sets his story. One goes along, because it's a predictable feel good movie, where we know before hand how will it end.
Armin Mueller Stahl is good as Barry, the man who has tried for the Comrade himself, and failed. Nthati Moshesh is appealing as Christine, a dark beauty who makes a valuable contribution to the film.