Sprinter is one
of the better films on a Jamaican subject
to be released in the last couple of years. I had zero expectations for this film
but it was a genuine crowd pleaser because it tapped into the authentic
elements of contemporary Jamaican culture. It is also quite predictable, and
this has been pointed out by other critics, but this is an assured production.
Writer and director, Storm Saulter, has clearly improved his craft since Better Mus’ Come (2010) but also shows
what can be achieved in Jamaican cinema with the proper financing. Unlike other
Jamaican film productions it is clear that Sprinter
has benefitted greatly from sponsorship and external support with Will and Jada
Pinkett Smith serving as executive producers, David Alan Grier playing the head
coach and Lorraine Toussaint as Akeem’s mother, Donna. I am not so sure about whether or not the
producers are Jamaicans or have Jamaican roots but all are welcome.
This film is generic tale, hence the title, about rising
sprinting star Akeem ‘Rasta Rocket’ Sharp (Dale Elliott) as he grapples with
various emotional issues, particularly with his mother Donna (Lorraine Toussaint),
while trying to fulfill his potential.
Positives
This is an assured production, well financed by Jamaican
standards, and showcases the potential of Jamaican cinema or the possibilities
that come with portraying authentic Jamaican stories. I was impressed in parts
by the acting and the expansive scope of
the storytelling. This is not to say that Jamaican audiences are not exposed to
foreign or don’t travel frequently but, in recent times, rarely do you see a
film based in Jamaica introducing foreign locations this convincingly in a
dramatic production. Many Jamaican films are isolated and rarely connect with
the outside world in such an authentic way. The external connection is
important to the Jamaican experience. The idea of the Jamaican diaspora in the
US is convincingly portrayed-a struggling mother seeking better for her family
in the US yet trying her best to remain emotionally involved with her children-
is very much a relatable topic to contemporary Jamaican audiences. The film does embrace this diasporic
connection and gives us a good interpretation through Akeem and his various
struggles. Akeem’s brother, Germaine (Kadeem Wilson), also engages in
transnational activity, albeit illegally, through scamming which has gained
Jamaica negative publicity in the US. He too had promise as a track athlete and
is world wise or world weary as he tries his best to look out for his brother
and tries to expose him to various possibilities on the business side.
There is also the tension between the amateur values and the
professional mindset of running just to make money. Akeem’s amateur values are
reinforced by his coach, his father and, probably, his future wife, Kerry
(Shantol Jackson). The amateur values keep him grounded but the allure of easy
money, flashy lifestyle and the hot girls/gyals is a serious temptation. This
is normally a tension seen in the sporting world. Do you run merely for glory
or do you run for yourself? Being a part of a groundswell can also be rewarding
but it can also leave you destitute or bellied up. Running for glory can give
you notoriety but you do have to balance it with some measure of
self-preservation. As a sports enthusiast and researcher I can appreciate Akeem’s
dilemma and Saulter has done well in exposing these issues.
The use of Jamaican acting talent was also a positive step.
Jamaica clearly has some leading acting talents, more prominent on TV shows or
stage productions, which are channeled effectively here. This is more evident
in the supporting cast and the attempt to go for a more authentic Jamaican sound.
Although some of the US actors are clearly off in their authenticity, the
Jamaican cast and extras effectively captured the Jamaican experience which
made the film very relatable. Some parts
are maybe too relatable (Ward theatre as a police station?)
Usain Bolt has a great cameo in this film. You become more
appreciative of his legendary status.
Negatives
The primary negative of this film is its predictability. In
most instances you know where this film is headed and this is informed by a
very generic title. I thought something like ‘Rasta Rocket’ would have been
more distinctive. The film does not take the hard road to be truly transcendent
in the world of filmmaking. Those elements which would heighten the dramatic
stakes are not necessarily present. There is just not much loss along the way.
How could it end otherwise! Other examples of its predictability are the impact
of Usain Bolt, elements taken from Boyz ‘N
the Hood and elements taken from other sports films. This is a conservative production and going forward
Jamaican filmmakers will have to be more daring in order to tell transcendent
stories which will impact globally. Have to be more unique in the telling of
the story although having Jamaican audiences identify with the broader canvas
can be counted as success. Sponsors need not necessarily be as upfront as FLOW was here. The sponsors do have some
bearing on the conservative approach taken but if more sources of financing can
be identified then we will get more to the root of the authentic Jamaican
experience. The predictability of the film suggests that there is a lot of
superficiality here and not enough of a grounded experience. Once we don’t have
to portray Jamaica with such fanfare then we will get closer to the truth. For the
time being you have to accept that to promote Jamaican films abroad you have to
focus on what makes us marketable( Reggae, Bolt etc).
The authenticity was lacking in some scenes and some camera
shots in the Jamaican setting were not as effective especially in the open
spaces like crowded downtown Kingston or the airport. Jamaica outside of the
school setting or the track was not effectively portrayed. Why was the camera
hanging so low in some instances? The American based actors were not as
effective in portraying authentic Jamaicans although they made a good attempt (Cool Runnings has returned). In some
instances the acting, generally, was not as effective especially in some of the
dramatic situations and it could be argued that the effect was lost because the
scenarios were so predictable. I would
actually have preferred a story primarily about Akeem’s brother, Germaine,
which would certainly have been less generic. Imagine a story of Germaine, the
Rasta Rocket , who entered the scamming life once his athletic career went
belly up. His story was such an effective contrast to Akeem’s story and this
means that it would be the more effective dramatic tale.
In the end this film had a lot going for it but going
forward more authentic stories about the Jamaican experience will truly make
the Jamaican film industry sustainable (The festivals which showcase Jamaican shorts
are a start). It is an assured production and does give a sense of the
possibilities for the Jamaican film industry to thrive in the 21st century
and to appeal to a global audience.
