Munich
MPAA Rating: R
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Entertainment: +3
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Content: -2
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WITHOUT LIMITS tells the true story of Steve Pre Prefontaine (Billy Crudup), who broke all long distance track records while at the University of Oregon in the 1970s. All his life Pre has dreamed of being coached by Bill Bowerman (Don Sutherland) at the University. But when the school offers him a scholarship, he insists on Coach Bowermans personal invitation. That obstinacy becomes even more evident as Pre and Bill clash over racing styles. Coach Bowerman has his sights set on sending Pre to the 1972 Munich Olympics, but first his star runner must be tamed. Pre becomes a campus hero as he astounds the country with his amazing ability to win every race he enters. The coeds shamelessly compete for his attention, and the unsophisticated athlete feels he has the world on a string. The terrorist attack at Munich and the despair of defeat finally bring mutual respect to the cocky boy with a dream and the stern coach with a mission. The excitement of competition, the developing relationship of Bowerman and Pre, and a tender love story will make WITHOUT LIMITS a box office winner.
But WITHOUT LIMITS is not as inspirational as Chariots of Fire, the award winning film of the early 1980s. Pre falls in love with Mary Marckx (Monica Potter), the one girl on campus who refuses to go to bed with him. Shes a devout Catholic who will not compromise her morals even though she loves him. Before he accepts that, however, Pre enjoys other coeds eagerness to accommodate him. A sex scene between Pre and a gymnast has no nudity but is a graphic display of athletic and sexual prowess. It also results in the star runner severely cutting his foot right before a major competition. Seeing him run in excruciating pain illustrates the young mans stubbornness, determination and courage. Completely superfluous foul language is especially disappointing, considering this PG-13 films subject will attract teenagers. Twenty obscenities include 15 s-words and two f-words, plus seven regular profanities. Preview must give WITHOUT LIMITS a negative acceptability rating because of one sex scene and foul language.
Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Warner Bros., 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522
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Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.
Crude Language: Many (11) times - Mild 7, Moderate 4
Obscene Language: Many (20) times - f word 2, s word 15, other 3
Profanity: Several (7) times - Regular (G 1, God's sake 1, JC 1, Jeez 2, GD 1, J 1)
Violence: Few times - Moderate (runners bloody foot shown, fatal car wreck but without view of victim)
Sex: Once (graphic motions without nudity)
Nudity: Once (brief rear male nudity in gym shower)
Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: Few times (coach uses sex term to make a point; coeds throw themselves at star athlete, passionate kissing)
Drugs: Few times (beer drinking at parties)
Other: Devout Catholics high morals and Bible reading team member treated respectfully; good messages about accepting defeat as opportunity to grow
Running Time: 118 minutes
Intended Audience: Young teens through Adults
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