American Flyers

This sentimental film which one reviewer terms a "cult classic for cyclists..." is disappointing. Yes, as a former cyclist who was racing at a time long before cycling was popular, it does have some scenes that bring back memories of the adrenaline rush of riding in the pack (I was usually well at the rear) and the long hours of training. The scene where they have to sprint past a pit bull is memorable too, but most cyclists can outsprint dogs. However, when you compare this film to the 1979 Breaking Away, it doesn't stand up. Frankly, I found the theme of an athlete with a potential life-threatening condition to be a bit over-wrought and excessive sentimental. David Marshall Grant has his day in the sun alongside Costner and gives less than a memorable performance. Rae Dawn Chong is, as always, charming but the rest of the cast fades away. This is not a bad film and is one that could have been outstanding, with a bit of work. It's too bad that Hollywood too often makes films based on sport stories which avail little about the sport itself. Indeed, their portrayal of the sport winds up being what they (Hollywood marketeers) think main stream America thinks the sport looks like. This film was made before cycling was brought into the public eye by such outstanding American athletes as Davis Phinney, Greg LeMond and Lance Armstrong. My impression that the reviewer who chose to deem this film a "cult classic for cyclists" did so because there wasn't much else out there to fill that bill.