Cool Runnings

Cool Runnings – Sprinter, Derice, longs to compete in the 1988 Summer Olympics and follow in his gold medal winning father’s footsteps, but a fellow competitor dashes his hopes when he is accidentally tripped in the qualifying race. Not willing to give up, he discovers Bobsledding: a winter sport that Jamaica has never competed in (for obvious reasons). Now all he has to do is convince a down-and-out former Bobsled gold winner to be the coach and persuade three more Jamaicans to join him in the rusty old sled. Can Derice fulfill his dream of competing at the Olympics for his beloved Jamaica? Or is the challenge before him too great to beat?  

Cool Runnings (1993) – Director: Jon Turteltaub

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3569011

Rating: PG

Running Length: 98 mins

Starring: Leon, John Candy, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis, Malik Yoba

Genre: Comedy, Sport

REVIEW: ‘COOL RUNNINGS’

Who would imagine that a movie about an inexperienced Bobsled team getting to the Winter Olympics could be something anyone other than hardcore sports fans would enjoy? Well, this reviewer (not a sports fan) can say that ‘Cool Runnings’ is in her top 10 movies of all time! What a movie such as this depends on, first and foremost, is likeable characters. ‘Cool Runnings’ focuses on tenacious, Derice (Leon), Box car racer, Sanka (Doug E Doug), wealthy but timid heir, Junior (Rawle D. Lewis) and angry and proud Yul Brenner (Malik Yoba, and yes, you read that right!), as well as irritable and reluctant coach, Irv Blitzer. These five all bring in different qualities and are all an absolute joy to watch.

The absurdity of the plot (the first Jamaican bobsled team) is skilfully acknowledged without ever making fools of the team or the sport. The film finds the space to make it’s characters proudly Jamaican and full of life so it jump with two feet into the ‘fish out of water’ angle. Derice and Sanka are life long friends and the chemistry between them is natural and effortless, with Sanka as the classic funny guy, cracking jokes and coming away with some long lasting zingers. In his last movie before his untimely death,

John Candy is superb as Irv – a complex man whose reluctance to return to competitive sports turns into a path to redemption. Unusually for Candy, his performance is understated – his jokes have a sardonic tinge to them belying his knowledge that once his shameful secret is discovered, it could be his undoing once again. This is a role that doesn’t need to be profound but Candy – normally the larger than life comedian – portrays Irv with both fun and humility.

With a tight script that delivers one great gag after another, likeable characters who grow thanks to their relationships with each other and a beautifully inspiring ending that would put any Hollywood weepy to shame, ‘Cool Runnings’ ticks all the boxes for a fantastic family movie that will have you cheering for Jamaica no matter where you’re from.

CONTENT: IS ‘COOL RUNNINGS’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

Derice runs around his town, training for the Olympics, he smiles and waves at passers-by. As he runs past two women, one says to the other ‘I could watch that backside all day!’

Irv listens to a horse race he has clearly gambled on. His horse loses and he becomes angry, smashing the radio with a pool cue. When Derice and Sanka try to persuade him to be their coach, he picks up the cue again and the pair run away.

Although Irv agrees to coach Derice and Sanka, he is still reluctant so during a meeting to find the additional two members of the team, he shows old videos of Bobsleds crashing and their occupants being thrown out. There is nothing too graphic here but those watching are clearly disturbed by the images. Irv tells them that the bones won’t break ‘no, no – they shatter!’ The video ends with a headline of ‘Crash kills Bobsledder!’

To raise money, Derice sets up a kissing booth. When he finished kissing one woman, he has lipstick smeared on his lips; he puckers up to start the next kiss but someone unexpected is next in line so he has to leave.

Yul Brenner has a dream to own a beautiful home that he has a picture of. He is told unkindly that this dream is totally unattainable and is crushed.

A character says ‘I’m freezing my royal Rastafarian nay nays off!’

The Jamaicans struggle to ignore the bullying and disrespectful attitudes of their fellow Olympians and it comes to a head when Junior attempts to stand up for himself. As he is about to be hit, Yul Brenner punches the attacker and a bar fight ensues. This involves people being hit over the head with glass bottles although no-one suffers long term injuries.

The team try to choose a special name for Bobsled. Junior suggests Tallulah – a name everyone else thinks is hilarious. Sanka says ‘Sounds like a $2 hooker!’

Irv gives the team a pep talk by reciting the Lord’s Prayer but changing many of the words to be about Bobsledding. This isn’t done to be disrespectful to religion but some may find it to be blasphemous.

Sanka talks to Derice about how they have known each other for a long time, saying ‘I’ve seen your ding-a-ling!’

A terrible accident occurs and it appears those involved may have been badly injured or even killed. There is a long moment of silence, quiet gasps and worried looks before we see what has happened.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT: IS ‘COOL RUNNINGS’ FOR KIDS?

‘Cool Running’ is a brilliant family film that is genuinely laugh out loud funny from start to finish. There is some mild cursing but we feel this movie is appropriate for kids of all ages.

• Violence: 2/5 (there is a bar fight involving people being punched and hit over the head with beer bottles. No-one suffers serious injury and there is no blood shown)
• Emotional Distress: 3/5 (there are several poignant moments throughout the movie, and the ending is very touching)
• Fear Factor: 0/5
• Sexual Content: 2/5 (a few women make their attraction to Derice clear although nothing sleazy is said. The kissing booth scene is done for laughs and although Derice is in trouble with his wife, it is portrayed as more innocent than as a suggestion of infidelity)
• Bad Language: 2/5 (some mild cursing and blasphemy)
• Dialogue: 1/5 (one character gives another an inspirational mantra to repeat which includes ‘ass’ and crap’ – you may find youngsters copying this!)
• Other Notes: Deals with themes of determination, optimism, pride in one’s country, confidence, sacrifice, friendship, redemption and believing in oneself.

Words by Laura Record