Finish Line (1989 film)

Finish Line
Genre Drama, sports
Written by Norman Morrill
Directed by John Nicolella
Starring James Brolin
Josh Brolin
Mariska Hargitay
Music by William Olvis
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
Production
Executive producer(s) Jon Peters
Peter Guber
Gerald W. Abrams
Producer(s) Stanley Brooks
Cinematography Jonathan West
Editor(s) Douglas Ibold
Michael Renaud
Running time 95 minutes
Production company(s) The Guber-Peters Company
Release
Original network TNT
Original release January 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. The film was released at a time when little was known about the harmful effects of steroids. It was originally broadcast on TNT on January 11, 1989.

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 Marsh, 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

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