RUNNING HIGH
RUNNING HIGH

Movie spotlight

RUNNING HIGH

1989
Movie
28 min
Japanese

A man on his way home from a wedding. When he wakes up drunk, he finds himself in a park in the early morning. As he wanders the city in the early morning, he meets a girl on a mountain bike and is suddenly chased by the police instead of the girl. The camera, which had been following the lazy, fresh morning air, turns around and starts running away with the man. The police chase him relentlessly. As he struggles to outrun his pursuers, he finds himself becoming increasingly elated. As he runs, he finds himself becoming more and more elated, as if it is the start of a journey away from the boredom of everyday life. The camera work is superb, eloquently capturing the man running with all his might.

Insights

IMDb5.2/10
Director: Donald W. ThompsonGenres: Drama, Sport

Plot Summary

A talented young gymnast named Jennifer is determined to win the national championship, but faces intense pressure from her coach and her own personal struggles. She must learn to balance her athletic ambitions with her personal life and overcome self-doubt to achieve her dreams. The film explores themes of dedication, sacrifice, and the demanding world of competitive gymnastics.

Critical Reception

Running High was a low-budget independent film that received a limited release and modest attention. While it aimed to capture the emotional and physical toll of elite sports, its execution was often seen as predictable and melodramatic, failing to resonate widely with critics or general audiences. It is primarily remembered as a vehicle for its young star.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film offers a familiar underdog story within the world of competitive gymnastics.

  • Performances are serviceable, though the script lacks originality.

  • It struggles to elevate itself beyond a typical made-for-television-style sports drama.

Google audience: Audience reception for 'Running High' is not widely documented through aggregated platforms like Google Reviews. However, available comments suggest viewers found the film to be a simple, straightforward sports drama that, while perhaps not groundbreaking, offered an inspiring narrative for younger audiences interested in gymnastics.

Fun Fact

Kim Richards, who plays the lead gymnast, was a prominent child actress in the 1970s and appeared in films like 'Escape to Witch Mountain' before taking on this role.

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