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American Flyers

Play trailer Poster for American Flyers PG-13 1985 1h 54m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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70% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
When Dr. Marcus Sommers (Kevin Costner) realizes that he and his troubled, estranged brother David (David Grant) may be prone a fatal brain disease that runs in their family, he decides to make peace with his sibling, and invites him on a trip to the Rockies. There, the brothers bond over their shared enthusiasm for cycling and decide to enter a grueling bike race through the mountains. However, Marcus' health soon begins to fail, and David must compete without his brother at his side.
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American Flyers

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Critics Consensus

American Flyers shifts between family drama and cycling action gears with enough strength to make this inspirational sports picture more than pedestrian.

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Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety 08/04/2008
Unfortunately, overblown production just pumps hot air in too many directions and comes up limp. Go to Full Review
Wally Hammond Time Out 02/09/2006
A pleasant, straight-down-the-road, clich-ridden ride. Go to Full Review
Vincent Canby New York Times 05/20/2003
2/5
The performances aren't bad, but they aren't good enough to give the film the heft it doesn't otherwise have. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 04/16/2022
2.5/4
Wears its cliches well. Go to Full Review
Barbara Shulgasser Common Sense Media 11/08/2016
3/5
Good-hearted '80s biking movie has cursing, sex. Go to Full Review
TV Guide 08/04/2008
2/4
Disjointed and underdeveloped. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Aug 26 American classic! Name a better cycling movie, I dare you. Ok, maybe Rad, but for road cycling this is it. After you take your Sunday stroll, give this a spin. See more Justo M Jul 5 Top step of the wide angle podium of cycling movies! Gotta love the city beautiful St. Louis Missouri and the greatest wheel change in cycling history. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 4 Success in 1 hour and 54 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Kevin Costner as Marcus Sommers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more E w Jun 25 If you get the directors cut it has a post credits scene where David has to answer questions about his close ties to Dr. Conrad and his sports medicine lab See more Mike H 07/18/2024 This movie keeps the watts up during the long winter of Zwifting. Less depressing than Breaking Away. See more 08/17/2023 A very young Kevin Costner and David Grant are two brothers experiencing a great American pastime There’s a big bicycle competition called Hell of the West about to take place and Marcus and David are set out to make it to the end During this whole thing they come across some nice women but one of them is also severely ill It presents as an opportunity to patch things up between them before it’s too late Can either of them make it to the end of the competition and better themselves? They have to cycle through a treacherous trek of 91 miles in 7 laps in steep hills and blistering heat Kostner and Grant are perfect as the two bickering brothers being constantly being worried about their family’s troubled history of health, the bicycling scenes are well shot and edited, and the music is pure 1980s You feel the sense of adrenaline and suspense with all of these bicyclers racing against the elements This movie manages to bring together family drama and sports film elements together without it feeling like a run of the mill flick that’s quite common Good actors, exciting bike racing scenes, and just enough warmth In the end it’s all about bringing together our family values with a love for the sport See more Read all reviews
American Flyers

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Movie Info

Synopsis When Dr. Marcus Sommers (Kevin Costner) realizes that he and his troubled, estranged brother David (David Grant) may be prone a fatal brain disease that runs in their family, he decides to make peace with his sibling, and invites him on a trip to the Rockies. There, the brothers bond over their shared enthusiasm for cycling and decide to enter a grueling bike race through the mountains. However, Marcus' health soon begins to fail, and David must compete without his brother at his side.
Director
John Badham
Producer
Gareth Wigan, Paula Weinstein
Screenwriter
Steve Tesich
Production Co
WW Productions
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 16, 1985, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2008
Runtime
1h 54m
Sound Mix
Surround
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