Downhill Racer (1969)

A somewhat unusually monomaniacal film—with only a homeopathic narrative, hardly any distraction from the goal, which is to win. But why, as father Chappellet asks, in one of the few moments the film dedicates any background or incidental details? Except for that minute-long image of the race, where the only speech is the TV commentator's, interspersed with the starter's Go!. Wonderful.

As a traditional film, it might be rather dull and lifeless, but as an atmospheric portrayal of the 1960s, the elite sports of that time, the American countryside, and the winter sports resorts in (especially) Austria, it's simply brilliant. It's a delightful viewing experience and a feast of recognition and discovery. There's very little room for the actors and their usual acting, but that's apparently no problem for Redford and Hackman; I don't see any difficulty in convincing them.

It's a shame the ending is a bit strangely abrupt. You'd expect something like a vindication from our hero, but apparently that was deemed unnecessary. Left as an exercise for the viewer, or something like that.

Translated from Dutch · View original