4 Minute Mile (2014)

A former track coach decides to train a student with natural athletic talent. Tragedy strikes, forcing the student to confront everything that has been holding him back.

Director:

Charles-Olivier Michaud

Writers:

Jeff Van Wie, Josh Campbell

Stars:

Kelly Blatz, Richard Jenkins, Kim Basinger

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kelly Blatz	...	Drew Jacobs
Richard Jenkins	...	Coleman
Kim Basinger	...	Claire Jacobs
Cam Gigandet	...	Wes Jacobs
Analeigh Tipton	...	Lisa Rickard
Rhys Coiro	...	Eli
Aaron Washington	...	Nate Rickard
Gerald Grissette	...	Peanut
David Brown-King	...	Reese Marino (as David Brown King)
Daniel Oliver	...	Deke Abrams
Dylan Arnold	...	Eric Whitehall
LaVon Hardison	...	Restaurant Waitress
Josh Feinsilber	...	Young Drew Jacobs
Andrew Haggerty	...	Young Wes Jacobs
Ernie Joseph	...	Cop

Storyline

The life of a disenfranchised teen living on the wrong side of the tracks, desperate for a way out, collides with an old reclusive track coach, angry at the world and with no purpose in life, with whom he eventually forms a bond. The two are forced to face their circumstances as they race to save each other and, ultimately, themselves.

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Plot Keywords:

race | train | overdose | brother brother relationship | crying | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes the hardest race of all is the one against yourself.

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material involving violence, drinking and drugs, and for smoking and some language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 August 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

4 Minute Mile

Filming Locations:

Seattle, Washington, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

One Square Mile Management Company,Phoenix Rising Motion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Eli threatens Drew with a knife, the knife point touches Drew's chin in one camera angle, but in another the tip is many inches away from his face.

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Quotes

Coleman: You got somethin'. You got... You got somethin' in here. It's so deep in there, and you gotta beat it. You gotta face that fear. You GOT to, because if you don't, you're gonna be me, and, buddy, you don't want that. But if you do - and I don't care if you never run another race in your life - because if you DO face that fear, it'll change your life. I promise you. It's the hardest thing you'll ever have to do, but you gotta do it. Oh, you gotta do it. And then you'll be able to push right ...

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Connections

References The Karate Kid (1984)

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Soundtracks

Until It's Beautiful
Written and performed by Justin Lantrip

User Reviews

570th Review: Instant Classic: Kid's Gotta Run. Has-been Trainer, Good Drama, Great Sport

Who doesn't love a good inspirational sports movie? In One Square Mile we both get and then get beyond the standard clichés of the sports genre to a very good film about running. This is a film with well-judged pace, it doesn't rush and yet, we were absolutely hooked.

The two leads, Kelly Blatz as the kid from the wrong side of Seattle, and Richard Jenkins, as a the washed-up coach are well cast. Jenkins is always the stoic, and here a stoic with curmudgeon, and both keep the film well balanced. The drama elements centered on family are well-handled without feeling tacked on.

Director, Charles-Olivier Michaud, handles the camera with assurance. His team are excellent - this is a very well made film. It has that same quality in use of the camera as Ron Howard: it's there to tell the story and the flow shows. The superbly composed soundtrack by Stephen Barton reflects that this is not a loud film, it has at it center running, training, and the drives of that, and anyone who's ever run will like it a lot.

All in all, one of our favourite films of the year - it has substance, style, and a lot to say about running.

Recommended.