Wizard-8 This independent production was picked up by Universal Pictures, but it doesn't seem that they gave it much of a theatrical release apart from a brief showing in Seattle. Seeing the movie, it soon becomes clear why Universal didn't have confidence in it. It's not a terrible movie, having some positive attributes. The South African locations, which are well photographed, give this a non-Hollywood look that's quite refreshing. The acting by everyone is pretty good as well. However, the actors aren't able to do anything with a script that doesn't give much depth to the characters. The main characters of Berry and Christine never have one real conversation of significant depth. Quite often they do things without explanation. There are a few scenes where it seems something personal might come out, but then there's an abrupt edit to the next scene, suggesting that a lot was cut out in the editing room. (Despite this, the movie at 113 minutes still feels too long.) And the climatic race is directed in a surprisingly bland fashion, not letting us feel the sweat and pain the runners are going through. Still, as I said earlier, this is not a terrible movie... but you'll still feel underwhelmed by it long before the end credits start rolling.

hlorbach The previous commentator who rated this film "1" based on seeing the last 10 minutes is laughable and irresponsible. This is a sensitive and will-developed film about a lonely old failed-runner turned coach who lives for running and finds a promising young woman refugee whom he wants to train for this grueling race. She is an illegal refugee from Namibia who runs to forget her troubles -- not into racing -- and he rescues her from deportation and takes over her life in order to train her. Eventually she rebels and leaves because she is young and wants a life of her own, but returns to running and works with him and his bunch of male runners as her group support. The cinematography is excellent and the music -- using local native bands and songs of prominence -- first rate. If the film were such a travesty on racing, why would the sponsoring organization of this grueling race cooperate with and allow the movie to be shot as an exemplar of the race. How many American runners have run 90k? With a good part of the race toward the end a steep uphill? This is a fine movie, a heart-warming story, unlike the vast majority of sock-em, kill-em, torture-em or gen-x mixed-up kids seeking their identity.

jotix100 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.

brianweissman88 Well, I only caught the tail end of this film on HBO, just the final 10 minutes or so, but I must say that it contains probably the most laughable depiction of distance running EVER put on film! I'm a serious distance runner and a dedicated fan of the sport, and I've sat through many painful demonstrations in movies before. However, nothing could have ever prepared me for what is shown on screen in the final 10 minutes of this movie, it literally defies belief! The depiction of the runners is even more ironic considering that African runners completely dominate the sport, and they are elegant and graceful. The female protagonist shuffles along like an overweight pregnant woman, and her "highly trained" male supporters are no better. Well into the race this alleged world class runner is surrounded by pudgy, overweight people, many of whom are WALKING! I find it interesting that the director decided to have her lead the female competition, yet near the end she is shown passing people who look like they're staggering along on two broken legs! Are we to believe that this amazing stellar athlete has only overtaken a crippled person at the very end of the race? Maybe the director just thinks that female runners can't run faster than 12 minute miles, and he has obviously never heard of athletes like Paula Radcliffe or Tirunesh Dibaba.Even if you aren't a running fan you'll be astonished by the insanely inaccurate portrayal of running, and this movie is only watchable as unintentional comedy. Here is a note to the director: The next time you decide to make a movie about a sport, it might be worth it to hire at least one person who actually has observed that sport in action.