The Perfect Race

This is in the same style as the christian cross country film 'Remember the Goal'. You will like it as much whether or not you have seen that. Runners will love both for the detailed insight into running. Christians will like both for the nicely balanced and relevant way the christian values are brought out. Here the race is the 800m at the college level. The prepration is shown here in alot more technical detail. The narrative is well paced, the acting is solid Hallmark standard. It is a very nice, rewarding film whose title is beautifully appropriate.

Where the film really works is as a sports movie. The concept is brilliantly worked, and the strategic and scientific approach of the coach sets it apart from most other sports movies, which tend to rely on ultimately less impressive "charismatic" leaders to bring the best out of their athlete. Not that Allee Sutton Hethcoat isn't charismatic, it's just that her character Coach Donnelly doesn't rely on it to make up for a lack of a coherent coaching approach.

Where The Perfect Race falls down is that it doesn't know its strength and instead tries first and foremost to be a Christian movie, which once again means crowbarring in biblical analogies to risible effect. And for what? Pandering to an insular echo chamber of Christian viewers only denies it the wider viewing that it deserves.

Real feel good movie. Bible scripture througout to give non believers an opportinity to hear the gospel. Loved it. This type of movie truly reminds me why Hollywood is failing and while small, independent companies are flourishing. I grew up with Rocky and The Karate Kid. This movie fits that mold. I am hoping that they keep making these types of movies for years to come. It will give my child and hopefully grandchildren something wholesome to watch in 2023. I will fi ish by saying that the two lead characters in the movie are strong women. With all of the talk of transgenders these days it was nice to see a movie about real female athletes.

Excellent story and pretty well acted, but the Lord blesses when we are faithful to Him in all circumstances, even when we don't understand what God is trying to teach us. Again, a great story leading an excellent cast!

The movie itself and also it's profound christian message is so well done! Please have it synchronized to other languages as well. Eg. Spanish, French, Italian, German. I'm from Austria. In a third movie we'd like to see the teacher run as well and train hard:)