Sprinter

Akeem (Dale Elliott) is a shy nobody at his high school, the younger brother of a former high school track champion, Germaine (Kadeem Wilson), whose record-breaking gift as a fast runner was curtailed. The boys were raised by an alcoholic father, Garfield (Dennis Titus), following the departure of their mother, Donna (Lorraine Toussaint), for the U.S. a decade ago. The original idea was that Donna would be gone a couple of years, sending home money she earned with a work permit. Ten years later, long after her permit and visa have expired, Donna is still in America, and Garfield is still entirely dependent on her earnings. The situation is a trap for all four members of the family and has left a big hole in Akeem's heart. But when the latter's own sensational speed as a racer captures the attention of Jamaica's national media (who dub him the "Rasta Rocket"), Akeem suddenly draws esteem and attention, a major distraction for an immature teen dragging around the weight of his mother's loss. Co-writer and director Storm Saulter has improved on the usual sports movie tropes by creating a believable tragedy that damages an entire family, becoming both a motivator for and a drag on Akeem's desire to fulfill his destiny. Saulter brings a moving sensitivity to the most painful scenes, such as Akeem's inability to get Donna on Skype calls, and the boy's inevitable fistfight with his alcoholic father. Saulter's eye for vibrancy and color help us remember we are watching a story set in Jamaica, and the casting of comedy legend David Alan Grier as Akeem's no-nonsense coach is a wonderfully ironic touch. Strongly recommended. (T. Keogh)