Director Michael Ritchie's minimalist cinema verite approach to this story about an Olympic hopeful that's a heel is an interesting an mostly successful attempt to capture the sport in the Wide World of Sports documentary style. Robert Redford's (David Cappellett) cocksure good looks and self absorbed mannerisms are deftly utilized in reaction shots to what's going on around him enabling him to convey much of his character with a minimum of dialog. It is the same documentary style that also hinders the film since the camera never remains steady long enough for characters to enunciate at length their feelings and relationships are explored at a distance.
Gene Hackman is his no nonsense coach trying to instill some team values in him while capricious jet setter girlfriend Camilla Sparv shows Chappellet that she can be every bit as shallow as he is. The best exchanges in the film come from his uncomfortable relationship with his father (Dabney Coleman).
The ski scenes are filled with well edited montages to give the film a healthy pace and adding suspense to the film's final minute as Chappellet success hangs in the balance. It may not medal but Ritchie's novel style and Redford's golden boy arrogance make Downhill Racer more than competitive.
Gene Hackman is his no nonsense coach trying to instill some team values in him while capricious jet setter girlfriend Camilla Sparv shows Chappellet that she can be every bit as shallow as he is. The best exchanges in the film come from his uncomfortable relationship with his father (Dabney Coleman).
The ski scenes are filled with well edited montages to give the film a healthy pace and adding suspense to the film's final minute as Chappellet success hangs in the balance. It may not medal but Ritchie's novel style and Redford's golden boy arrogance make Downhill Racer more than competitive.