Review: 'Sprinter' Offers Window Into Jamaica, Cameo By Usain Bolt

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

There is a moment in the new movie, Sprinter, when an exasperated police captain leans in close to the protagonist, Akeem, and delivers a line that contains the crux of the story.

“No man can outrun the choices he makes.”

Of course, Akeem, being young and fast, thinks he can get away with pretty much anything. It will take life experience, and track, to reign him in and give him perspective so that he can move forward.

Sprinter is a sports movie set in Jamaica and offers a glimpse of life and sport on an island nation that takes great pride in running fast. In that regard, it has elements of Cool Runnings, Seabiscuit, Rocky and a host of other sports movies.

Akeem, played by Dale Elliott, is a high school phenom who earns the nickname “Rasta Rocket” for his fast rise through Jamaican sprinting. He sees opportunity, a bump in status, and the possibility of reuniting with his mother in the United States, by pursuing his training and reaching for his goal.

There are impediments in his path, of course. The parenting is largely in the hands of his gruff old coach, played by David Alan Grier, who is the movie’s scene-stealer. Akeem’s father is well-meaning but overwhelmed. His brother, once a track star, has lost his luster and is wrapped up in a criminal enterprise.

It will take additional characters, a female sprinter on his team, his coach, and yes, Usain Bolt, to set Akeem straight.

Honestly, the lone scene with Bolt is one of the gems of the entire movie. He appears, like a God, to sit down and dispense wisdom with a starry-eyed Akeem.

The story also includes an emotional payoff at the end, when Akeem inevitably makes amends with his mother.

The track and field component vacillates between and authentic and imaginary. Athletes are not easy to portray on screen. Elliott, who was a high school track athlete, does the best he can to convince the audience that he is the Rasta Rocket. But it’s not an easy sell. He doesn’t always look like the real deal, but he does a good job playing Akeem.

Even though the off-track story feels more important than the track goal, the big moment at the “World Youth Games,” is somewhat satisfying. Most won’t notice the Penn Relays crowd shot that has been spliced onto Drake Stadium at UCLA, where the international meet is set. (Think of it, the IAAF U-20 Championships in L.A.!).

The movie is executive produced by Jada Pinkett and Will Smith, so it has some weight. Grier and actress Lorraine Toussaint (Akeem’s mom) give the project some star power.

And Bolt, who drops into the movie like an oracle, also makes a significant appearance. In Jamaica, he’s the most iconic cultural figure since Bob Marley.

The movie represents a slice of Jamaica that’s rarely seen on film. For that, it’s worthwhile.

Sprinter will come to theaters across the U.S. on demand beginning April 24.

To watch the film, go to SprinterTheFilm.com to find a theater near you, or request a screening.