Today’s Viewing: American Flyers

American Flyers

As a child of the 80s who had access to cable and HBO for as long as I can remember, I watched many films that have most likely been lost to the sands of time. These are not terrible films, but also not amazing films.

Perhaps it’s due to the nostalgia from those childhood days, but one of those “favorites” for me is the film American Flyers, featuring a pre-superstar Kevin Costner.

(OK, maybe “favorite” isn’t the right word, more like a bit of cinematic fluff that makes me happy, the film equivalent of a marshmallow.)

Regardless, this is one of those fondly-remembered films for me.

The story and soundtrack are so very 80s (think melodramatic original songs written and recorded just for the film). This movie about a broken family whose father died due to an aneurysm has divided brothers and estranged one of them from his mother. It has a very B-grade Rocky/Karate Kid (the 1984 original) vibe going on. One brother (Costner) is a sports medicine doctor and competitive cyclist. The other is adrift in life in his early 20s, close to failing out of college, yet a naturally gifted athlete and cyclist. The elder recruits his brother to join him in a grueling race in Golden, CO, called “Hell of the West.” There’s drama, an illness, and a chance to win it all(!). As I said, very 80s and very cliched, and yet, I find it oddly soothing and comforting.

This is a great movie to turn on when you’re cleaning the house or doing the dishes (which is what I did). Good, not great, but I was entertained the 75% of the time I paid attention to it.

Film journal entry for AMERICAN FLYERS

Transcribed from my film journal with minor edits