Stephen Hopkins’ well-intentioned biopic of Jesse Owens’ experiences of racism, oppression and Nazism as he travelled to, and triumphed at, the 1938 Olympic games in Berlin features good performances and broad strokes.
Focusing on Jesse Owens’ (Stephan James) life between 1934 and 1936, the film explores Owens’ rise to fame as he meets college track coach, Larry Snyder (Jason Sudekis), who recognises and encourages Owens’ extraordinary talent. As Owens’ star rises, he struggles with fame and the relentless racism of America – as well as the national debate on whether the United States should boycott the Olympics as a stance against Nazi Germany.
The choice facing Owens is a wrenching one. Well acquainted with the realities of oppression, he is also aware that young Black American men need a visible idol like him to get the gold. That America is dangerously racist while criticising Germany’s anti-Semitism is addressed, albeit clumsily, as Hopkins (hopefully unintentionally) seems to try compare and contrast the two, instead of exploring the nuance of each country’s specific and deep-rooted issues.
With so much to cover, Hopkins’ 134 minute runtime could well be forgiven. Unfortunately, the director uses his two-plus hours not to delve into the detail of the political and psychological turmoil that swirls within and around Jesse Owens, but to reduce it to an event-driven biopic-by-numbers.
As Owens, Stephan James gives an impressive performance, filling out a character who is often sketched in broad terms. While James’ Owens is allowed to be proud and occasionally defiant in his talent, little is revealed about the driving forces behind his ambition. Similarly, the complexity of Owens’ relationships with Black activists and his role as a public figure remain unexplored. While James invites the audience into his flashes of anger, frustration and hurt, the script often sacrifices psychological insight for flashier but empty moments.
A bronze film for a man who deserves gold.

Rating: 2.5/5