As flawed as it might seem, and as much as Mariel Hemingway's body may have been exploited in the interest of box office sales... This was a very important movie for me and many girls my age. It was the first movie we ever saw that let us know that we weren't the only girls in the world who liked other girls. And it showed us that this could be beautiful and that we weren't freaks. For that it will always hold a special place in my heart. And the same goes for many other lesbians around my age.
34 Reviews
Hemingway matures in the course of this film--and as an actress takes some risks
moonspinner5524 March 2001
"Personal Best" opens with a beautiful shot: a lone spot of sweat on the cement as the camera pans slowly upwards to Mariel Hemingway's tense profile as she prepares for a race. Soon afterward, however, the actress opens her mouth and out comes this little girl voice with a puny range. It's only natural to think this is going to be a tough role for Hemingway to pull off, but I believe she has done it. Gay-themed dramas are always something of a risk for the actors involved, yet Hemingway takes her sprinting character from naive mouse to sexy girlfriend to adult in the course of "Personal Best" and becomes a better, stronger actress in the process. Although an excessively barbed film with two gratuitous sub-plots (both involving men: a manipulative coach and an eleventh-hour boyfriend for Mariel), the picture has great '70s atmosphere, good race scenes, some funny, raunchy humor, and an even-handed, focused look at two women in love (lesbian lover Patrice Donnelly is a very moody cuss, but that's certainly no reason to drag in the boyfriend, which is where the movie starts hedging its bets). Two-hours-plus of Mariel Hemingway may sound like too much, but she's very good here; she carries most of this film on her shoulders and pulls off some very tricky sequences. This was her own 'personal best'. ** from ****
A look back at the 70s from an early 80s pespective...
AlsExGal25 September 2018
... and the culture had not changed that much at that point such that many changes had to be made other than to be sure the soundtrack was very 70s, and the film does indeed dig up some great 70s oldies.
This is the story of two athletes - Chris (Mariel Hemingway) and Tory (Patrice Donnely) - from 1976 to 1980 as they train for the 1980 Olympics, hoping to go for the gold, only to have the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and the resulting boycott of the 1980 Olympics by the USA prevent them from training for anything but the satisfaction of personal accomplishment.
This is also probably the first film to portray a lesbian relationship in a meaningful and realistic way. It shows how Chris and Tory fall in love, how they bond over their desire to be Olympic athletes, and how the athletic competition between them as well as jealousy gradually tear the relationship apart.
But this was also 1982, so the filmmakers insert what looks like now to be gratuitous nudity to lure would be moviegoers of the day. Looking back now some of the overt sexism and even racism is rather stark. There is coach Terry Tingloff (Scott Glenn) going on and on about how he could have coached men and been a REAL coach. There is a scene in a steam room where one of the African American athletes tells a racist joke. And there is lots of weed smoking before the era of "just say no".
I'd recommend it, but just realize that the film has long stretches that are solely about competition, preparation, and the little quirks of fate that can affect performance one way or the other. If that bores you, then you are likely not going to get much out of this viewing experience.
With Larry Pennell as Chris' overbearing demanding coach/dad who just disappears after the first ten minutes, never to be heard from again, and actor/athlete Kenny Moore as Denny Stites, Chris' boyfriend after her break up with Tory, and possibly the world's oldest living college athlete since he was 38 when this film was made and 18 years older than Hemingway.
This is the story of two athletes - Chris (Mariel Hemingway) and Tory (Patrice Donnely) - from 1976 to 1980 as they train for the 1980 Olympics, hoping to go for the gold, only to have the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and the resulting boycott of the 1980 Olympics by the USA prevent them from training for anything but the satisfaction of personal accomplishment.
This is also probably the first film to portray a lesbian relationship in a meaningful and realistic way. It shows how Chris and Tory fall in love, how they bond over their desire to be Olympic athletes, and how the athletic competition between them as well as jealousy gradually tear the relationship apart.
But this was also 1982, so the filmmakers insert what looks like now to be gratuitous nudity to lure would be moviegoers of the day. Looking back now some of the overt sexism and even racism is rather stark. There is coach Terry Tingloff (Scott Glenn) going on and on about how he could have coached men and been a REAL coach. There is a scene in a steam room where one of the African American athletes tells a racist joke. And there is lots of weed smoking before the era of "just say no".
I'd recommend it, but just realize that the film has long stretches that are solely about competition, preparation, and the little quirks of fate that can affect performance one way or the other. If that bores you, then you are likely not going to get much out of this viewing experience.
With Larry Pennell as Chris' overbearing demanding coach/dad who just disappears after the first ten minutes, never to be heard from again, and actor/athlete Kenny Moore as Denny Stites, Chris' boyfriend after her break up with Tory, and possibly the world's oldest living college athlete since he was 38 when this film was made and 18 years older than Hemingway.
Personal Fave.
buckaroobanzai5023 September 2004
Some of the posts here are very critical of this film, accusing it of being slow and exploitative. But I think it should be taken into account that this is essentially a film about people's relationship to each other, and not about car chases and explosions. I found it to be understated, realistic, and very watchable. Okay, there are a few nude scenes which may appear gratuitous. But as highly trained athletes, I think they would feel pretty secure about their bodies, and the camaraderie between them all which is apparent in the movie, would suggest that none of them would be embarrassed at being undressed together. Mariel is ultra believable as the confused young protagonist, which is not surprising as she said in a documentary that she actually trained like an athlete every day for almost a year, in order to prepare for the role. It's a shame to see how far downhill her acting career has gone since.
My one criticism is about Scott Glen, who is his usual wooden self, and not a character at all...He looks the part, but doesn't deliver the goods. But hey, it's such a cool watchable movie, I'll overlook that gripe.
It's weird to note that a lot of the sports fashions in the film are now back in style.
My one criticism is about Scott Glen, who is his usual wooden self, and not a character at all...He looks the part, but doesn't deliver the goods. But hey, it's such a cool watchable movie, I'll overlook that gripe.
It's weird to note that a lot of the sports fashions in the film are now back in style.
Pretty good track flick
mmorgan-718 April 2004
The best part of this film is you get a look at Eugene, Oregon, the mecca of track and field in the early 1980s. Mariel Hemingway is pretty convincing as a pentathlete. She is tall, very fit and moves with much of the grace of a hurdler. Of note is that most of the others in this film, with the exception of Scott Glenn were actual world-class athletes. Jane Fredrick and Kate Schmidt were top women and Al Feuerbach was a champion shot-putter. Kenny Moore, who plays Hemingway's male love-interest is cast as a water polo player. In reality Moore, who does a very good job finished 4th in the Olympic Marathon, was numerous events, but was cursed with running at the same time as Frank Shorter (has a bit part playing a TV announcer). Moore was also a frequent contributor for Sports Illustrated. This is not a genre-defining movie (if there is a genre of this type), but it is quite watchable and gives one a hint of the life of track athletes in the era before they were allowed to be paid above the table.
Donnelly and Hemingway become more than teammates
goya-43 June 2001
The inner world of women's track and field is examined in this underrated film. An up and comer (Hemingway) meets up and becomes competetive friends with the veteran looking for one more shot at olympic glory (Donnelly). THeir coach, played well by Scot Glen, tries to keep both of them focused. A good film that lets you get into the characters and their pains and struggles as their friendship grows into a love affair. 6 of 10
Controversial then, nostalgic now
JayHysterio3 August 2016
As an avid track fan I actually saw this film in the theater when it came out...I was also intrigued by the lesbian relationship, something that wasn't commonplace in films in the early 80's. It was definitely a cult film back then, and even more so now. I actually purchased the DVD a few years ago, and watched it recently in advance of the Olympics.
Many issues that are considered PI now are in the film, use of the c-word, a racist joke about Asians, references to "dumb Indians", controlling male figures...but I watch the film now amid the pro contracts that track athletes are now able to take advantage of, and this film is really the last film to show how track athletes existed at that very time; huge sacrifices for little monetary reward, in this case no reward as the Olympics were boycotted in 1980.
The nudity and sex scene is considered tame by today's standards, I guess what is interesting is you see national and world class athletes showing full frontal nudity 30 years before Sports Illustrated started showing such athletes in their magazines spreads (and at that, not even FFN).
The film now is merely a look to the waning days of amateur track and field, but an accurate look. It was filmed during that period and isn't a re-creation as "Without Limits" and "Pre" were, both of which can only try and recapture that era.
Many issues that are considered PI now are in the film, use of the c-word, a racist joke about Asians, references to "dumb Indians", controlling male figures...but I watch the film now amid the pro contracts that track athletes are now able to take advantage of, and this film is really the last film to show how track athletes existed at that very time; huge sacrifices for little monetary reward, in this case no reward as the Olympics were boycotted in 1980.
The nudity and sex scene is considered tame by today's standards, I guess what is interesting is you see national and world class athletes showing full frontal nudity 30 years before Sports Illustrated started showing such athletes in their magazines spreads (and at that, not even FFN).
The film now is merely a look to the waning days of amateur track and field, but an accurate look. It was filmed during that period and isn't a re-creation as "Without Limits" and "Pre" were, both of which can only try and recapture that era.
Leg Men Pounce, All Others Snore
kayaker3625 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
It's my private opinion that Robert Towne really wanted to make a picture about two gay **male** athletes but had to write the parts for women in order to get the project financed. The film critics loved it. Audiences stayed away in droves and a five year exile from movie directing was imposed on award-winning scriptwriter Towne, who had to answer some nasty questions of the "What on earth were you thinking?" variety even as the echo of this box office bomb died away.
Sexual aberrance is not confined to the women characters. While there are some fleeting views of real male athletes--shot putters, etc.--acting quite normally, something is decidedly off about the two male leads. The young water polo player who appears late in the film to serve as Chris' (Mariel Hemingway) male love interest is as pretty as any of the women and even less masculine. He is sexually unaggressive if not downright indifferent to the charms of Ms Hemingway, leaving Chris to make the first move, and the second, and the third. Tellingly, he is seen in the full frontal nudity which Ms. Hemingway carefully avoids throughout.
As the trainer of the women's pentathlon team, Scott Glenn is downright bitchy. His often flamboyant dress and flawlessly coiffed hair--he and Patrice Donnelly have hair of the same length--also give him a look like no athletic coach ever seen.
On the plus side, the recent transfer to widescreen disc incorporates all the latest video technology and it shows in the gorgeous views of the California coast and the sparkling blue of Mariel Hemingway's eyes. Her breasts have virtually disappeared (too much upper body work?) but she's got a great pair of legs which again and again are exhibited in the briefest of track shorts.
And the notorious sauna scene? Only if you think muscles on women are attractive. The single lesbian love scene? Very brief, and so tasteful you'll have a hard time staying awake. (I feel a twinge of sympathy for Ms. Donnelly who allowed herself to appear in full frontal in both these scenes, perhaps having been told this was her Big Break in films. It wasn't.)
The athletic competition scenes--which take up the last quarter of the picture? Lots of slow mo, good pacing and camera angles, but--the box office reception shows just how many moviegoers in 1982 were interested in seeing women's sports. Just how much have attitudes changed in twenty-five years? Well, we'll see.
Sexual aberrance is not confined to the women characters. While there are some fleeting views of real male athletes--shot putters, etc.--acting quite normally, something is decidedly off about the two male leads. The young water polo player who appears late in the film to serve as Chris' (Mariel Hemingway) male love interest is as pretty as any of the women and even less masculine. He is sexually unaggressive if not downright indifferent to the charms of Ms Hemingway, leaving Chris to make the first move, and the second, and the third. Tellingly, he is seen in the full frontal nudity which Ms. Hemingway carefully avoids throughout.
As the trainer of the women's pentathlon team, Scott Glenn is downright bitchy. His often flamboyant dress and flawlessly coiffed hair--he and Patrice Donnelly have hair of the same length--also give him a look like no athletic coach ever seen.
On the plus side, the recent transfer to widescreen disc incorporates all the latest video technology and it shows in the gorgeous views of the California coast and the sparkling blue of Mariel Hemingway's eyes. Her breasts have virtually disappeared (too much upper body work?) but she's got a great pair of legs which again and again are exhibited in the briefest of track shorts.
And the notorious sauna scene? Only if you think muscles on women are attractive. The single lesbian love scene? Very brief, and so tasteful you'll have a hard time staying awake. (I feel a twinge of sympathy for Ms. Donnelly who allowed herself to appear in full frontal in both these scenes, perhaps having been told this was her Big Break in films. It wasn't.)
The athletic competition scenes--which take up the last quarter of the picture? Lots of slow mo, good pacing and camera angles, but--the box office reception shows just how many moviegoers in 1982 were interested in seeing women's sports. Just how much have attitudes changed in twenty-five years? Well, we'll see.
Best movie I've ever seen about sports and the competitive spirit
illogic666 August 2007
This is a beautiful and understated film about people trying to get the best out of the interaction of their personal lives with their sports performance. This is a very realistic, documentary-like film, and not everybody wants that from a film. If you want predictable, this isn't it: this film is human. You see these people go through real changes, as logical, illogical, fickle and precarious as life can be. The acting is top-notch, including the real-life athletes in scripted parts. Scott Glenn and Mariel Hemingway do some of their best work here. Patrice Donnelly is one of the most gorgeous women I have ever seen. The relationship depicted between her and Hemingway is complex, intelligent and non-exploitative. Just don't assume it's a 'typical' lesbian relationship-- it's THEIR relationship and has its own progression with which some will identify and some won't. It's definitely a superior alternative to what gay men were presented with around the same time: 'Making Love', which is soap-opera cheesy and ruined poor Harry Hamlin's movie career before it could get much of anywhere (and, to his credit, he is still proud of having done the role). Any lesbian who thinks 'Personal Best' is patronizing, really needs to see 'Making Love'.
Few movies make me nostalgic, but 'Personal Best' does, very much so-- I wish I could time-warp back to Eugene in 1976! It's got that 'natural' '70s vibe to it, and it is sometimes heartwarming to see people without cellphones or computers. All around this film makes the athletes larger-than-life and gets under their skin in ways few films have ever done, and I'm not a sports-oriented person, let alone given to watching track-and-field. The shot-put scene at the Olympic trial at the end is one of many marvelously-conceived sequences which literally make me feel like I'm in the action, as the athletes in slo-mo coil into position with the shot, getting eye-to-eye with the camera just before they all spring forth at once in a nice feat of editing.
The DVD release of this film is a little confounding because, even though it's widescreen, the image quality is really not much better than a good VHS copy. There is a lot of visual noise, especially obvious on dark backgrounds (like the credits), which was very disappointing to see-- it seems that a DVD release does not guarantee quality, just compatibility. But at least it's available, whereas the VHS is becoming very hard-to-find except on Amazon (can't believe I've never even seen one at Goodwill). I would love to see this film restored to its full magnificence.
Few movies make me nostalgic, but 'Personal Best' does, very much so-- I wish I could time-warp back to Eugene in 1976! It's got that 'natural' '70s vibe to it, and it is sometimes heartwarming to see people without cellphones or computers. All around this film makes the athletes larger-than-life and gets under their skin in ways few films have ever done, and I'm not a sports-oriented person, let alone given to watching track-and-field. The shot-put scene at the Olympic trial at the end is one of many marvelously-conceived sequences which literally make me feel like I'm in the action, as the athletes in slo-mo coil into position with the shot, getting eye-to-eye with the camera just before they all spring forth at once in a nice feat of editing.
The DVD release of this film is a little confounding because, even though it's widescreen, the image quality is really not much better than a good VHS copy. There is a lot of visual noise, especially obvious on dark backgrounds (like the credits), which was very disappointing to see-- it seems that a DVD release does not guarantee quality, just compatibility. But at least it's available, whereas the VHS is becoming very hard-to-find except on Amazon (can't believe I've never even seen one at Goodwill). I would love to see this film restored to its full magnificence.
good relationship and sports movie
SnoopyStyle9 September 2015
In the 1976 US Olympic trials, Chris Cahill (Mariel Hemingway) chokes under her father's coaching. Tory Skinner (Patrice Donnelly) comes in second coached by Terry Tingloff (Scott Glenn). Chris has a breakdown that night and Tory comforts her. That night, they have a lesbian relationship. Tory convinces Terry to take on Chris.
It's a sensitive portrayal of a lesbian relationship. The massive amount of nudity does raise the question of how exploitive this movie is. Although the camera does leer at the young women, the romance is not some pulp fiction concoction. It's sweet. It's complicated. It feels real. It's also a striped down behind-the-scene look at Olympic athletes. Patrice isn't a pro actor but does quite well. Mariel has the sweet innocent quality. It's a good relationship movie and a good sports movie.
It's a sensitive portrayal of a lesbian relationship. The massive amount of nudity does raise the question of how exploitive this movie is. Although the camera does leer at the young women, the romance is not some pulp fiction concoction. It's sweet. It's complicated. It feels real. It's also a striped down behind-the-scene look at Olympic athletes. Patrice isn't a pro actor but does quite well. Mariel has the sweet innocent quality. It's a good relationship movie and a good sports movie.
Just too long
Tito-810 April 1999
This moderately entertaining film would have been so much better had it been shorter. There just wasn't enough of a story to drag this out for more than two hours. The sports scenes were rather well done, but after a while, I began to lose interest in the various relationships that were key to the film. During the last hour, I found that I was only sporadically interested in what was going on, and I can't recommend any film that isn't able to hold my attention throughout.
An outstanding movie
daggets29 June 2005
Personal Best is a gripping film about competition and pushing oneself to the absolute limit - what you leave behind in the process and what you build. Mariel Hemingway's character Chris is blessed with natural talent but initially lacks the drive and motivation that has taken her soon-to-be lover Tori to a higher level in women's track and field. When Chris begins training with Tori and Tori's coach takes her under his wing, Chris moves to the next level.
As Chris' and Tori's romantic relationship begins and then evolves, the competition between them intensifies. Chris' coach Scott Glen remarks to Chris, "I don't know which scares you more, beating Tori Skinner or losing to her." Her quandary culminates at the Olympic Trials where Chris and Tori compete for 2 of the 3 spots on the US Women's Pentathalon Team. And the result is unpredictable yet makes perfect sense - and it was even more meaningful given that the competition was for spots non an Olympic team that wasn't going anywhere, as the Moscow Olypics would take place without the US athletes.
As Chris' and Tori's romantic relationship begins and then evolves, the competition between them intensifies. Chris' coach Scott Glen remarks to Chris, "I don't know which scares you more, beating Tori Skinner or losing to her." Her quandary culminates at the Olympic Trials where Chris and Tori compete for 2 of the 3 spots on the US Women's Pentathalon Team. And the result is unpredictable yet makes perfect sense - and it was even more meaningful given that the competition was for spots non an Olympic team that wasn't going anywhere, as the Moscow Olypics would take place without the US athletes.
Dated, but that's okay
smatysia8 July 2012
This film is quite dated, but that's okay. No mention of steroids, in a pre-Ben Johnson track and field world. Well, I guess that's not quite true, as one coach did mention things that could inadvertently show up on a test. But that was it. And I remember how things were in the late Seventies, with casual dope-smoking everywhere, and no one really cared much one way or another. The big deal at the time, was the relationship between the two main characters. That would be celebrated today, and the weed-smoking utterly condemned. Patrice Donnelly did very well to not be a professional actress at the time. Mariel Hemingway did very well also, showing her character as naive and almost child-like. There were a few nude scenes, that may have been titillating, but did not seem at all gratuitous. (I recall that Miss Hemingway got a huge boob job for her very next role in Star 80) Overall, I still liked this film.
Flawed at best
OP_Pimiento10 April 1999
Considering the risk of showing same-sex relationships before the late 1980's, Personal Best could have done better to play the same-sex relationship between Hemingway (Chris Cahill) and Donnelly (Tory Skinner) as a more than experimental phase of Cahill's life.
It seems to me that the creators of this movie threw in the same-sex relationship between two fairly attractive women in order to attract viewers. Also consider the 90 seconds of exposing the crotches of several women jumping backwards over a high jump pole. This random scene had VERY LITTLE relevance to the movie and it appeared as though this was done merely to keep the audience interested in this bland movie. I suppose the producers were trying to counteract the boring plot and the even more boring setting of the movie (the 1980 Oregon Track and Field Competition).
This review may seem harsh, but it is the truth. The exploitation of young Muriel Hemingway's body and the same-sex relationship ruined any credit that I would have given to this film.
Pepper Thompson
It seems to me that the creators of this movie threw in the same-sex relationship between two fairly attractive women in order to attract viewers. Also consider the 90 seconds of exposing the crotches of several women jumping backwards over a high jump pole. This random scene had VERY LITTLE relevance to the movie and it appeared as though this was done merely to keep the audience interested in this bland movie. I suppose the producers were trying to counteract the boring plot and the even more boring setting of the movie (the 1980 Oregon Track and Field Competition).
This review may seem harsh, but it is the truth. The exploitation of young Muriel Hemingway's body and the same-sex relationship ruined any credit that I would have given to this film.
Pepper Thompson
A risky film which contains a lot
filmfan131327 October 2000
I wish to argue against the fact that the film exploits the bodies of women. It is true that the movie was billed, in pressbook releases, as a sports movie featuring toned, "sexual" female bodies (not an exact quote). In this way, the makers may have attempted to make a film that was pleasurable to the male viewer. I do not argue that.
I do say that the end result was a film that handled the sexual situations very well, without exploitation. You have to consider at the time this film was made, 1982, it was (arguably) the first film to have an open lesbian relationship on the screen. The only real way a film could be generally accepted by the public, at that time, would be by containing some sexual content to please the male viewer. Too many feminist groups have identified with the powerful female figures inherent in this movie to really argue that the film exploits women. I believe that it IDENTIFIES women, and how they see each other.
I thought it was an excellent film, that made an excellent social statement of the times. Yes, it is sexist by today's standards... but watching it looking for the sexism ruins the entire experience of the movie. It is a movie in which to enjoy the characters more than the story, because the characters are so vivid.
I do say that the end result was a film that handled the sexual situations very well, without exploitation. You have to consider at the time this film was made, 1982, it was (arguably) the first film to have an open lesbian relationship on the screen. The only real way a film could be generally accepted by the public, at that time, would be by containing some sexual content to please the male viewer. Too many feminist groups have identified with the powerful female figures inherent in this movie to really argue that the film exploits women. I believe that it IDENTIFIES women, and how they see each other.
I thought it was an excellent film, that made an excellent social statement of the times. Yes, it is sexist by today's standards... but watching it looking for the sexism ruins the entire experience of the movie. It is a movie in which to enjoy the characters more than the story, because the characters are so vivid.
Tough sporting/love drama
LW-0885425 December 2023
Quite a good film on the subject of sport/love and competition. The film is really nicely shot, released in 1982 it's a good looking film with nice bold colours, good costumes, the actual athletics parts are well photographed and edited. The film takes place in a variety of settings and in all weather. The story is easy to follow, the main protagonist may be seen by some as a bit of a wet blanket, she's often getting injured too and even she admits she may lack that killer instinct her rival has. This is definitely an adult film not for children. I've seen so many predictable and cliched sport films, this isn't one of them though.
A Somewhat Voyeuristic Look At A Complicated Relationship
sddavis6319 February 2010
In 1982, I suppose this movie would have come across as both voyeuristic and somewhat gutsy, featuring as its "hook" a lesbian relationship between two young athletes. In 2010, it no longer seems gutsy - so that aspect of the movie is simply voyeuristic, although it does lead to a sometimes interesting portrayal of how the relationship gets complicated. As Tori and Chris, Patrice Donnelly and Mariel Hemingway both put on decent enough performances. Tori is a veteran pentathlete, while Chris is young and unsure of herself. The two link up, becoming friends and, ultimately, lovers - which creates some real complications as the personal and romantic relationship competes with the competitive and athletic relationship.
I found this a strange movie in some ways from the very beginning, as the opening credits roll in simply white letters on black background without any musical accompaniment at all. To me, that created an almost foreboding feeling - although there's nothing particularly foreboding about the movie. There's a number of scenes of total female nudity in the steam room after training sessions especially, although that didn't really strike me as gratuitous - it came across as natural to the circumstances. The sexual relationship between Chris and Tori isn't graphically portrayed, although there is nudity and obvious affection shown between the two. The development of their relationship (with its ups and downs) with its growing competitiveness as Chris develops into not just a lover but an athletic rival is interesting.
As sports movies go, this lacks any real sense of drama. The final part of the movie, depicting the 1980 US Olympic Trials is a bit of a drag frankly, and not well developed. At one point we're told that Chris is 6th and disappointing, while Tori is 3rd and very competitive. Then, all of a sudden, Chris is second and challenging to win, while Tori's on the verge of dropping out. How did that happen? Much of this closing part of the movie is filmed in slow motion, which doesn't really add to what should be the excitement.
This is - at best - an up and down movie. It has some very mild sexual innuendo type humour from time to time (think of the water polo player being spotted by Chris as he lifts weights, which means he's looking right up between her legs as he does so!) It also featured a role for a young and shaggy haired Scott Glenn, who - with all due respect - demonstrated that his best acting days were definitely ahead of him, although the scene in which he discusses the challenges of coaching women track athletes compared to coaching male football players was rather funny! 5/10
I found this a strange movie in some ways from the very beginning, as the opening credits roll in simply white letters on black background without any musical accompaniment at all. To me, that created an almost foreboding feeling - although there's nothing particularly foreboding about the movie. There's a number of scenes of total female nudity in the steam room after training sessions especially, although that didn't really strike me as gratuitous - it came across as natural to the circumstances. The sexual relationship between Chris and Tori isn't graphically portrayed, although there is nudity and obvious affection shown between the two. The development of their relationship (with its ups and downs) with its growing competitiveness as Chris develops into not just a lover but an athletic rival is interesting.
As sports movies go, this lacks any real sense of drama. The final part of the movie, depicting the 1980 US Olympic Trials is a bit of a drag frankly, and not well developed. At one point we're told that Chris is 6th and disappointing, while Tori is 3rd and very competitive. Then, all of a sudden, Chris is second and challenging to win, while Tori's on the verge of dropping out. How did that happen? Much of this closing part of the movie is filmed in slow motion, which doesn't really add to what should be the excitement.
This is - at best - an up and down movie. It has some very mild sexual innuendo type humour from time to time (think of the water polo player being spotted by Chris as he lifts weights, which means he's looking right up between her legs as he does so!) It also featured a role for a young and shaggy haired Scott Glenn, who - with all due respect - demonstrated that his best acting days were definitely ahead of him, although the scene in which he discusses the challenges of coaching women track athletes compared to coaching male football players was rather funny! 5/10
not sex, but friendship between rivals
franrodriguez200115 May 2002
Excellent, the relationship, more friendship than sex between 2 women who are friends, lovers and rivals at the same time. At the end they are just friends. Not many movies about track and of course probably this is the only one about the intimacy of the relations between the runners, the difficulties of being not only lovers, but rivals that want the same prize. I liked it very much, instead of your typical sports film of difficulties until the final triumph, here we have the everyday training of this athletes, not famous, but hard workers. The final irony is they classify for the 80 olympic games and they could´t go.
What an Awful Movie
archaeotypetw8 March 2022
I finally saw Personal Best 40 years after it came out and it wasn't worth the wait. I remember that the movie was quite controversial when it came out and now I understand why. I'm not sure if the intended audience was lesbians or pervy men. I'm guessing pervy men. How many crotch shots of young women high jumping or sitting around naked in a steam room could the director possibly cram into one movie? It is so cringeworthy. Mariel Hemingway was a terrible actor and whatever happened to the other girl (see, I don't even remember her name - she disappeared).
The story is lame, the movie is icky. Maybe it was ground breaking for it's sensitive portrayal of lesbianism but it's still a lousy movie. It'll be another 40 years before I try to watch it again.
The story is lame, the movie is icky. Maybe it was ground breaking for it's sensitive portrayal of lesbianism but it's still a lousy movie. It'll be another 40 years before I try to watch it again.
The best movie about athletes ever
rlcsljo13 July 2000
I believe this movie was the first, and best, movie to treat the relationship between sex and athletic performance in a serious and non stereotypical way. Other films treated athletes as either eunuch/priests whose only concern was their athletic performance, or as over sexed satyrs who required sex as a release and/or distraction from the rigors of training, or sexual relations were gratuitously thrown in as a prerequisite romantic line to draw in a bigger audience.In Personal Best the sexual aspect was actually integral to the plot. We see how sex gets people better opportunities, drives wedges between competitors, and induces self sacrifice--albeit in this case all for naught.I will admit that some of the nude scenes appeared to be gratuitous on the surface, but when you analyze the film you see it was really necessary to show how all those firm toned naked bodies in semi-erotic poses (necessary for maximum athletic performance, I might add) could lead someone down the path to homosexuality.Overall, this movie is a masterpiece of its genre that is interesting, stimulating, and exciting for people of all persuasions.
What problem?
rmax3048232 June 2001
I saw this film in its first release, then again a few nights ago on cable and it affirmed my first impression that this was one of a scant handful of good sports movies. The shots of San Louis Obispo are evocative, for one thing, giving us not just the apricot sand of the dunes but the whoosh of cars on a distant freeway and the chill of the light fog.
Mariel Hemingway, never noted for her acting range, becomes noticeably stronger as the movie progresses. The attractions and tensions within the team are neatly delineated in a naturalistic style by director Towne. What seems bothersome to many commentators is the "exploitation" of females through gratuitous nudity and all the rest of that specious argument. Of course there is female nudity and an abundance of finely toned suntanned flesh, often moving around ballistically in slow motion. It is after all a movie about a team of women athletes. And contrary to popular belief there doesn't seem to be a vas deferens between male and female competitors. And we should consult Leni Riefenstal on how to avoid slow motion. Much of the nudity is locker-room casual. (And there is casual male nudity too.) That which has sexual associations seems appropriate in a story of a love affair between team members and contributes to our understanding of how such an affair could develop.
The guy, by the way, is no eleventh-hour hero brought in at the last minute to save the heroine from the catastrophe of lesbianism. He's no dashing Rhett Butler. He's simply another figure, not overly bright, and manipulable. He and the heroine don't ride into the sunset together.
The complaints about exploitation seem misdirected. This is a film for adults, a story of love, dedication, and competition, nicely written, directed, photographed, scored, and acted. Zealots in the gay community have an abundance of other targets for their anger. It would have been nice to see more of Patrice Donnely in other films, because she was quite good, especially for an ex-athlete.
Mariel Hemingway, never noted for her acting range, becomes noticeably stronger as the movie progresses. The attractions and tensions within the team are neatly delineated in a naturalistic style by director Towne. What seems bothersome to many commentators is the "exploitation" of females through gratuitous nudity and all the rest of that specious argument. Of course there is female nudity and an abundance of finely toned suntanned flesh, often moving around ballistically in slow motion. It is after all a movie about a team of women athletes. And contrary to popular belief there doesn't seem to be a vas deferens between male and female competitors. And we should consult Leni Riefenstal on how to avoid slow motion. Much of the nudity is locker-room casual. (And there is casual male nudity too.) That which has sexual associations seems appropriate in a story of a love affair between team members and contributes to our understanding of how such an affair could develop.
The guy, by the way, is no eleventh-hour hero brought in at the last minute to save the heroine from the catastrophe of lesbianism. He's no dashing Rhett Butler. He's simply another figure, not overly bright, and manipulable. He and the heroine don't ride into the sunset together.
The complaints about exploitation seem misdirected. This is a film for adults, a story of love, dedication, and competition, nicely written, directed, photographed, scored, and acted. Zealots in the gay community have an abundance of other targets for their anger. It would have been nice to see more of Patrice Donnely in other films, because she was quite good, especially for an ex-athlete.
"Pull my finger!"
Aussie Stud8 March 2002
Mariel Hemingway stars in what is perhaps the most defining film of her career, a vehicle that displays her acting talents at what is probably her own 'personal best'.
In "PERSONAL BEST", Mariel is Chris Cahill, a young and attractive bi-sexual athlete competing at the Olympic Team Trials for the 1980 Olympic Games to be held in Los Angeles. Her character is defined as somewhat naive, but she is guided through her sexuality phase with the help of Tory Skinner (wonderfully played by Patrice Donnelly). Whether the two characters are lesbian or not is beside the point, what "PERSONAL BEST" tries to deal with is the hardship of having a relationship at a trying time in your life. In this case, both Chris and Tory are competing for a place in the Olympic Team and they both help each other emotionally and physically to achieve their goals.
The two girls both deal with sexual confusion which distracts them on and off the field. Their coach is played by Scott Glenn who plays a hard and despicable character who 'pushes' them too hard to achieve their personal best.
"PERSONAL BEST" is filled with unnecessary nudity including countless scenes inside a sauna where you get to see young female athletes baring all. There are also several explicit sex scenes involving Chris and Tory which would probably not be suitable for younger children. One questionable scene involves Chris and a male athlete/temporary love interest in a bizarre toilet scene that has absolutely nothing to do with the movie - but other than that, the rest of the film is quite inspirational.
When the movie isn't trying to be serious, there are some comedic moments including a scene where Chris asks Tory to 'pull her finger'. Another thing "PERSONAL BEST" successfully achieves is building a story around a 'lesbian relationship' without delving into silly stereo-types and cliché's that spoiled other films of the same time (ie. "WINDOWS" and "THE LONELY LADY").
When it all boils down to it, what drove Chris and Tory to achieve their personal best was not endless training and their physical attributes, but their love and friendship for each other which was something that would probably last forever. "PERSONAL BEST" is a film about athletics and it is also a love story.
Yes, Mariel Hemingway has starred in a lot of trash (ie. "LIPSTICK", "SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE", "BAD MOON") - but it is "PERSONAL BEST" which I remember her the most for. Patrice Connelly was also a very good actress, but she has since retired from acting after appearing in only two films. This movie brought back a lot of memories about the 70's and the 80's and how innocent love could be in times that weren't so troubled.
I highly recommend this film, not just for sports enthusiasts, but for also those who are seeking a romantic love story.
My rating - 8 out of 10
In "PERSONAL BEST", Mariel is Chris Cahill, a young and attractive bi-sexual athlete competing at the Olympic Team Trials for the 1980 Olympic Games to be held in Los Angeles. Her character is defined as somewhat naive, but she is guided through her sexuality phase with the help of Tory Skinner (wonderfully played by Patrice Donnelly). Whether the two characters are lesbian or not is beside the point, what "PERSONAL BEST" tries to deal with is the hardship of having a relationship at a trying time in your life. In this case, both Chris and Tory are competing for a place in the Olympic Team and they both help each other emotionally and physically to achieve their goals.
The two girls both deal with sexual confusion which distracts them on and off the field. Their coach is played by Scott Glenn who plays a hard and despicable character who 'pushes' them too hard to achieve their personal best.
"PERSONAL BEST" is filled with unnecessary nudity including countless scenes inside a sauna where you get to see young female athletes baring all. There are also several explicit sex scenes involving Chris and Tory which would probably not be suitable for younger children. One questionable scene involves Chris and a male athlete/temporary love interest in a bizarre toilet scene that has absolutely nothing to do with the movie - but other than that, the rest of the film is quite inspirational.
When the movie isn't trying to be serious, there are some comedic moments including a scene where Chris asks Tory to 'pull her finger'. Another thing "PERSONAL BEST" successfully achieves is building a story around a 'lesbian relationship' without delving into silly stereo-types and cliché's that spoiled other films of the same time (ie. "WINDOWS" and "THE LONELY LADY").
When it all boils down to it, what drove Chris and Tory to achieve their personal best was not endless training and their physical attributes, but their love and friendship for each other which was something that would probably last forever. "PERSONAL BEST" is a film about athletics and it is also a love story.
Yes, Mariel Hemingway has starred in a lot of trash (ie. "LIPSTICK", "SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE", "BAD MOON") - but it is "PERSONAL BEST" which I remember her the most for. Patrice Connelly was also a very good actress, but she has since retired from acting after appearing in only two films. This movie brought back a lot of memories about the 70's and the 80's and how innocent love could be in times that weren't so troubled.
I highly recommend this film, not just for sports enthusiasts, but for also those who are seeking a romantic love story.
My rating - 8 out of 10
A Wonderful Love Story
blueangel20005 June 2001
Personal Best is a wonderful story of love, growing up and competition. Chris must grow up and find her own way in an intense arena. She competes with her lover Tori for prizes and the coach's attention. The movie deftly explores the issue of how to compete with and love someone at the same time. The movie is tasteful and handles the issues without a hint of the frat boy sniggering that could so easily have been the theme of the movie.
One of my all-time favorite movies.
One of my all-time favorite movies.
A Personal Favourite
abethell-26 October 2005
Although it has been many years since I saw this film it stands out as being an excellent film, both in the content-human relationships & competition, as well as the cinematography.
Mariel Hemingway is simply stunning. Indeed the Women's High Jump is among the best events to watch at any Track & Field meet-as the girls are generally young, long & lean.
If you follow T & F some of the high jumpers are able to compete at the highest level for over a decade. (I think that 5 of the top 8 of the 1988 Seoul Olympics had also made the final of the 1976 Olympics).
There were two good films that I know of that had aim as 80 Olympics-Golden Girl with Susan Anton & this film. So how long did the USSR stay in Afganistan after the 1980 Olympic boycott? 13 years. So if a politician says a sporting team should boycott another country because of civil rights etc-then remind them of this Olympics, which in turn stuffed up the next Olympics as well as a couple of Commonwealth Games especially for African countries.
Irony Idi Amin pulled Uganda out of the 1976 Olympics because New Zealand played rugby in South Africa.
Even in 2004 the Aust govt was sort of trying to stop the Aust Cricket team from touring Zimbabwe.
Enough of politics as I was not really aware of politics when I saw Personal Best in the early 1980's. I was aware of my attraction to girls and in Mariel there is one of the most beautiful as well as the capacity to admire athletic bodies , male & female, both on the track and in the locker room.
Mariel Hemingway is simply stunning. Indeed the Women's High Jump is among the best events to watch at any Track & Field meet-as the girls are generally young, long & lean.
If you follow T & F some of the high jumpers are able to compete at the highest level for over a decade. (I think that 5 of the top 8 of the 1988 Seoul Olympics had also made the final of the 1976 Olympics).
There were two good films that I know of that had aim as 80 Olympics-Golden Girl with Susan Anton & this film. So how long did the USSR stay in Afganistan after the 1980 Olympic boycott? 13 years. So if a politician says a sporting team should boycott another country because of civil rights etc-then remind them of this Olympics, which in turn stuffed up the next Olympics as well as a couple of Commonwealth Games especially for African countries.
Irony Idi Amin pulled Uganda out of the 1976 Olympics because New Zealand played rugby in South Africa.
Even in 2004 the Aust govt was sort of trying to stop the Aust Cricket team from touring Zimbabwe.
Enough of politics as I was not really aware of politics when I saw Personal Best in the early 1980's. I was aware of my attraction to girls and in Mariel there is one of the most beautiful as well as the capacity to admire athletic bodies , male & female, both on the track and in the locker room.
Excellent Movie . . . Period !
fluna103019 September 2010
There have been so many things said about this particular movie . . . in my opinion (for what it's worth) I found this movie to be simply . . . .Excellent . . . Period ! Released in 1982, Personal Best is about Chris Cahill (played wonderfully by Mariel Hemmingway) who, along with Tory Skinner (played by Patrice Donnely) get romanticaly involved while commpetting in the olympics. Although this movie deals with certain sensitive subjects, the movie as a whole has an excellent storyline and ....when it comes down to it, love for another person. Writer and Director Robert Towne did an excellent job on this movie, and Mariel Hemmingway is (and always will be) an absolute Babe ! This movie is out on DVD. For excellent entertainment, Get This Movie !! You won't be disappointed. Enjoy !
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