The Athlete

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Audience Member The nice cinematography doesn't make up for a sloppily edited film where actually very little happens. The backstory has the potential to be an excellent docu-film or even a decent recreation of events but what's served up is less than inspiring. Great shots of Ethiopia though almost make it worth seeing. Almost but not quite. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member this biopic takes an interesting route by intertwining abebe bikila's story with the history of his native ethiopia, lending an importance to his athletic exploits that stretches far beyond mere personal accomplishment. however, it is worshipful to a fault, with its screenplay fawning so excessively over bikila that the other characters stop just short of proclaiming him a god on earth. this causes the film to work at cross-purposes with itself: it wants to be about more than just one man's quest for athletic excellence, yet it also can't help showering that man with praise at every possible opportunity. it's as if the directors don't trust the audience to draw their own conclusions about bikila's stature. at one point, a character comes right out and tells him, "you're a great man." thanks for spoonfeeding me your admiration, Movie. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Athlete

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