American Flyers

PG-13

Released Aug 16, 1985

1 hr. 54 min.

Drama

List

70%

20 Reviews

Tomatometer

86%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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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Audience Member

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

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/17/23

Full Review

Matt M

Such a great film. Best wheel change ever

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/19/23

Full Review

J B

Amazing!!! Eddie the dog shoulda had a dang Oscar.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/18/23

Full Review

Gregory A

Worth it for the clinic on wheel swaps by Sarah (Rae Dawn Chong)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/17/23

Full Review

Bret M

This movie just finished 16th place in the movie fandom one day race…which is a harbinger of American Flyers taking the top spot on the podium 🥇

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/17/23

Full Review

A K

Gets better every year. Could use more Kleins.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/17/23

Full Review

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John Badham

Director

Kevin Costner

Marcus Sommers

David Marshall Grant

David

Rae Dawn Chong

Sarah

Alexandra Paul

Becky

Janice Rule

Mrs. Sommers

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81%

69%

Running on Empty

33%

52%

Just Between Friends

47%

69%

Permanent Record

20%

79%

Stealing Home

82%

65%

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Variety Staff

Variety

Unfortunately, overblown production just pumps hot air in too many directions and comes up limp.

Aug 4, 2008

Full Review

Wally Hammond

Time Out

A pleasant, straight-down-the-road, clich-ridden ride.

Feb 9, 2006

Full Review

Vincent Canby

New York Times

The performances aren't bad, but they aren't good enough to give the film the heft it doesn't otherwise have.

Rated: 2/5

May 20, 2003

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Wears its cliches well.

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 16, 2022

Full Review

Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

Good-hearted '80s biking movie has cursing, sex.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 8, 2016

Full Review

TV Guide

Disjointed and underdeveloped.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 4, 2008

Full Review

Read all reviews

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
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
Sound Mix: Surround

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