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{{unreferenced|date=December 2016}}

{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| show_name = Finish Line
| image =
| genre = Drama, sports
| image_size =
| director = [[John Nicolella]]
| image_alt =
| writer = Norman Morrill
| caption =
| genre = Drama<br>Sport
⚫
| starring = [[James Brolin]]<br>[[Josh Brolin]]<br>[[Mariska Hargitay]]
| released = January 11, 1989
| writer = Norman Morrill
| runtime = 95 min
| director = [[John Nicolella]]
⚫
| starring = [[James Brolin]]<br>[[Josh Brolin]]<br>[[Mariska Hargitay]]
⚫
| country = United States
| language = English
| music = [[William Olvis]]
⚫
| country = United States
| language = English
| producer = [[Stanley Brooks]]
| executive_producer = [[Jon Peters]]<br>[[Peter Guber]]<br>[[Gerald W. Abrams]]
| editor = Douglas Ibold<br>Michael Renaud
| cinematography = Jonathan West
| runtime = 95 minutes
| location = [[Corvallis, Oregon]]<br>[[Eugene, Oregon]]<br>[[University of Oregon Hayward Field]]<br>[[Springfield, Oregon]]
| company = The Guber-Peters Company
| budget =
| network = [[TNT (American TV network)|TNT]]
| released = {{Start date|1989|01|11}}
}}
}}


Finish Line is a 1989 television movie originally broadcast on [[TNT (TV channel)|Turner Network Television]] starring real life father and son James and Josh Brolin. The movie also features Stephen Lang as a hard driving track coach and an early appearance by Mariska Hargitay as a student reporter. The film was released at a time when little was known about the harmful effects of steroids.
'''''Finish Line''''' is a 1989 American [[television film|made-for-television]] [[sports film|sports]] [[drama (film and television)|drama film]] starring real-life father and son [[James Brolin|James]] and [[Josh Brolin]]. The movie also features [[Stephen Lang]] as a hard-driving track coach and an early appearance by [[Mariska Hargitay]] as a student reporter. It was originally broadcast on the then-new [[TNT (U.S. TV network)|TNT]] on January 11, 1989.<ref name="rosenberg" />

==Background==
During ''Finish Line'''s production, Olympic sprinter [[Ben Johnson (Canadian sprinter)|Ben Johnson]] was disqualified from the competition for using steroids in what became a major scandal that made national news. Although the film was in the works before this scandal, its unfolding throughout the news brought the film inevitable timeliness.<ref name="reuters">{{cite news |title=After Johnson, TV film has theme of athlete on steroids |agency=Reuters |publisher=The Vancouver Sun |date=4 October 1988}}</ref> Josh Brolin, doing press for the film, said he thought steroids should be banned, but acknowledged the pressure athletes faced to get an edge on the competition.<ref name="ladd">{{cite news |last1=Ladd |first1=Patty |title=Father, son team up for new Turner network movie |agency=Austin American Statesman |date=11 January 1989}}</ref>

The film was the first time the two Brolins had worked together.<ref name="ladd" /> Its producers originally wanted to film at the [[University of Oregon]] but were turned down. They ended up filming in several locations across Oregon, including [[Corvallis, Oregon|Corvallis]].<ref name="wilson">{{cite book |last1=Wilson |first1=Katherine Ann |title=Echoes from the Set |date=29 March 2019 |publisher=Trine Day |isbn=9781634242295 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kPOODwAAQBAJ |access-date=23 May 2023}}</ref>

==Plot==
Glenn Shrevelow and Tito Landreau are childhood friends who share a mutual love of running. Their athletic prowess results in them receiving scholarships to a prestigious university. Their new coach tells them that they are among the fastest runners in the country and inspires them with visions of Olympic glory.

Glenn finds himself facing pressure from both his coach and his demanding father, himself a former runner, who pushes him to commit and excel. Desperate after falling behind in a race and facing the loss of his scholarship, he resorts to taking steroids after another track team member tells him that they will improve his performance and are the real "breakfast of champions".

It is during this time that Glenn meets Lisa Karsh, a student reporter doing a story on athletes and drugs and they begin to develop a romantic relationship. Glenn's journey into the world of drugs grows darker as he progresses from taking pills to injections. His father is furious when he find out but Glenn insists it is the only way he can excel.

Glenn finally pays the price when he suffers a heart attack after a grueling race. His heart has suffered massive damage and he is scheduled for a coronary bypass. Glenn's father begs his forgiveness after realizing he is partly to blame. Glenn is wheeled into the operating room and the final scene shows Glenn's father tearfully watching Tito win an Olympic race on television and dedicating it to Glenn who has died.

==Cast==
⚫
*[[James Brolin]] as Martin Shrevelow
⚫
*[[Josh Brolin]] as Glenn Shrevelow
⚫
*[[Mariska Hargitay]] as Lisa Karsh
⚫
*[[Stephen Lang]] as Coach Harkins

==Critical reception==
The ''Los Angeles Times'' praised the Brolins' performances but called the script and direction heavy-handed.<ref name="rosenberg">{{cite news |last1=Rosenberg |first1=Howard |title=Television Reviews 'Finish Line' Explores Steroid Use, Abuse |agency=Los Angeles Times |date=11 January 1989}}</ref> The ''Chicago Tribune'' also praised the actors' performances, writing that their "sensitive and sympathetic performances" elevated the film above other "affliction-of-the-week" dramas.<ref name="clark">{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Kenneth R |title=Story of a loser goes for the gold |agency=Chicago Tribune |date=10 January 1989}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}


==External links==
The cast
⚫
James Brolin-Martin Shrevelow
⚫
Josh Brolin-Glenn Shrevelow
⚫
Mariska Hargitay-Lisa Karsh
⚫
Stephen Lang-Coach Harkins
* {{IMDb title|0097358}}
* {{IMDb title|0097358}}


[[Category:1989 television films]]
[[Category:1989 television films]]
[[Category:1989 films]]
[[Category:1989 crime drama films]]
[[Category:1980s sports drama films]]
[[Category:American sports drama films]]
[[Category:American track and field films]]
[[Category:American drama television films]]
[[Category:Films directed by John Nicolella]]
[[Category:Films scored by William Olvis]]
[[Category:Sports television films]]
[[Category:TNT (American TV network) original films]]
[[Category:1980s American films]]
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]
[[Category:English-language sports drama films]]
[[Category:English-language crime drama films]]

Latest revision as of 21:53, 24 September 2024

Finish Line
GenreDrama
Sport
Written byNorman Morrill
Directed byJohn Nicolella
StarringJames Brolin
Josh Brolin
Mariska Hargitay
Music byWilliam Olvis
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersJon Peters
Peter Guber
Gerald W. Abrams
ProducerStanley Brooks
Production locationsCorvallis, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
University of Oregon Hayward Field
Springfield, Oregon
CinematographyJonathan West
EditorsDouglas Ibold
Michael Renaud
Running time95 minutes
Production companyThe Guber-Peters Company
Original release
NetworkTNT
ReleaseJanuary 11, 1989 (1989-01-11)

Finish Line is a 1989 American made-for-television sports drama film starring real-life father and son James and Josh Brolin. The movie also features Stephen Lang as a hard-driving track coach and an early appearance by Mariska Hargitay as a student reporter. It was originally broadcast on the then-new TNT on January 11, 1989.[1]

Background

[edit]

During Finish Line's production, Olympic sprinter Ben Johnson was disqualified from the competition for using steroids in what became a major scandal that made national news. Although the film was in the works before this scandal, its unfolding throughout the news brought the film inevitable timeliness.[2] Josh Brolin, doing press for the film, said he thought steroids should be banned, but acknowledged the pressure athletes faced to get an edge on the competition.[3]

The film was the first time the two Brolins had worked together.[3] Its producers originally wanted to film at the University of Oregon but were turned down. They ended up filming in several locations across Oregon, including Corvallis.[4]

Plot

[edit]

Glenn Shrevelow and Tito Landreau are childhood friends who share a mutual love of running. Their athletic prowess results in them receiving scholarships to a prestigious university. Their new coach tells them that they are among the fastest runners in the country and inspires them with visions of Olympic glory.

Glenn finds himself facing pressure from both his coach and his demanding father, himself a former runner, who pushes him to commit and excel. Desperate after falling behind in a race and facing the loss of his scholarship, he resorts to taking steroids after another track team member tells him that they will improve his performance and are the real "breakfast of champions".

It is during this time that Glenn meets Lisa Karsh, a student reporter doing a story on athletes and drugs and they begin to develop a romantic relationship. Glenn's journey into the world of drugs grows darker as he progresses from taking pills to injections. His father is furious when he find out but Glenn insists it is the only way he can excel.

Glenn finally pays the price when he suffers a heart attack after a grueling race. His heart has suffered massive damage and he is scheduled for a coronary bypass. Glenn's father begs his forgiveness after realizing he is partly to blame. Glenn is wheeled into the operating room and the final scene shows Glenn's father tearfully watching Tito win an Olympic race on television and dedicating it to Glenn who has died.

Cast

[edit]

Critical reception

[edit]

The Los Angeles Times praised the Brolins' performances but called the script and direction heavy-handed.[1] The Chicago Tribune also praised the actors' performances, writing that their "sensitive and sympathetic performances" elevated the film above other "affliction-of-the-week" dramas.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Rosenberg, Howard (11 January 1989). "Television Reviews 'Finish Line' Explores Steroid Use, Abuse". Los Angeles Times.
  2. ^ "After Johnson, TV film has theme of athlete on steroids". The Vancouver Sun. Reuters. 4 October 1988.
  3. ^ a b Ladd, Patty (11 January 1989). "Father, son team up for new Turner network movie". Austin American Statesman.
  4. ^ Wilson, Katherine Ann (29 March 2019). Echoes from the Set. Trine Day. ISBN 9781634242295. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  5. ^ Clark, Kenneth R (10 January 1989). "Story of a loser goes for the gold". Chicago Tribune.
[edit]
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