Race
Race is a movie about Jesse Owens, a young African American who attended Ohio State University. With the help and guidance from his coach Larry Snyder, Owens would go on to become a track and field sensation, breaking and setting numerous records and bringing home 4 gold medals for the U.S in the 1936 Olympic games.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film and would strongly recommend it.
However; I would suggest that the audience have background knowledge on US
history in order to completely understand it.
Because this film takes place around the 1936 Olympics the conflicts in the film are complex due to the racial and
religious conflicts occurring at the time. Some of the scenes are slightly
vulgar in their use of racial slurs, and at times can be intense. Although I
believe that the vulgar language and slurs are used for the sole purpose of portraying
an historically accurate film.
However;
this film does portray two role models who’s positive behavior could be comprehended
by an audience member of any age. One of the role models being Jesse Owens
himself. Throughout the movie, negativity and discrimination constantly
surround Jesse due to the color of his skin. He also receives no support from
his family, in fact they strongly in courage him not to participate in the
Olympics. But despite the lacking support from his family and all of the racial
discrimination, Jesse preservers. Another major role model in the film is Carl ‘Luz’
Long, a member of the German Olympic team. Long despite racial and religious differences
shows tremendous sportsmanship to Owens. Carl’s decision to reach out and help
Jesse relays the importance of sportsmanship and treating everyone equally.
All
in all, I believe the film was quite inspirational and historically accurate.
Despite the complex religious and racial conflicts, I thought the message that Hopkins
was trying to relay in regards to the importance of sportsmanship and equality
was displayed clearly by the relationship between Carl and Jesse.
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