JayHysterio As an avid track fan I actually saw this film in the theater when it came out...I was also intrigued by the lesbian relationship, something that wasn't commonplace in films in the early 80's. It was definitely a cult film back then, and even more so now. I actually purchased the DVD a few years ago, and watched it recently in advance of the Olympics.Many issues that are considered PI now are in the film, use of the c-word, a racist joke about Asians, references to "dumb Indians", controlling male figures...but I watch the film now amid the pro contracts that track athletes are now able to take advantage of, and this film is really the last film to show how track athletes existed at that very time; huge sacrifices for little monetary reward, in this case no reward as the Olympics were boycotted in 1980. The nudity and sex scene is considered tame by today's standards, I guess what is interesting is you see national and world class athletes showing full frontal nudity 30 years before Sports Illustrated started showing such athletes in their magazines spreads (and at that, not even FFN).The film now is merely a look to the waning days of amateur track and field, but an accurate look. It was filmed during that period and isn't a re-creation as "Without Limits" and "Pre" were, both of which can only try and recapture that era.

sddavis63 In 1982, I suppose this movie would have come across as both voyeuristic and somewhat gutsy, featuring as its "hook" a lesbian relationship between two young athletes. In 2010, it no longer seems gutsy - so that aspect of the movie is simply voyeuristic, although it does lead to a sometimes interesting portrayal of how the relationship gets complicated. As Tori and Chris, Patrice Donnelly and Mariel Hemingway both put on decent enough performances. Tori is a veteran pentathlete, while Chris is young and unsure of herself. The two link up, becoming friends and, ultimately, lovers - which creates some real complications as the personal and romantic relationship competes with the competitive and athletic relationship. I found this a strange movie in some ways from the very beginning, as the opening credits roll in simply white letters on black background without any musical accompaniment at all. To me, that created an almost foreboding feeling - although there's nothing particularly foreboding about the movie. There's a number of scenes of total female nudity in the steam room after training sessions especially, although that didn't really strike me as gratuitous - it came across as natural to the circumstances. The sexual relationship between Chris and Tori isn't graphically portrayed, although there is nudity and obvious affection shown between the two. The development of their relationship (with its ups and downs) with its growing competitiveness as Chris develops into not just a lover but an athletic rival is interesting.As sports movies go, this lacks any real sense of drama. The final part of the movie, depicting the 1980 US Olympic Trials is a bit of a drag frankly, and not well developed. At one point we're told that Chris is 6th and disappointing, while Tori is 3rd and very competitive. Then, all of a sudden, Chris is second and challenging to win, while Tori's on the verge of dropping out. How did that happen? Much of this closing part of the movie is filmed in slow motion, which doesn't really add to what should be the excitement. This is - at best - an up and down movie. It has some very mild sexual innuendo type humour from time to time (think of the water polo player being spotted by Chris as he lifts weights, which means he's looking right up between her legs as he does so!) It also featured a role for a young and shaggy haired Scott Glenn, who - with all due respect - demonstrated that his best acting days were definitely ahead of him, although the scene in which he discusses the challenges of coaching women track athletes compared to coaching male football players was rather funny! 5/10

daggets Personal Best is a gripping film about competition and pushing oneself to the absolute limit - what you leave behind in the process and what you build. Mariel Hemingway's character Chris is blessed with natural talent but initially lacks the drive and motivation that has taken her soon-to-be lover Tori to a higher level in women's track and field. When Chris begins training with Tori and Tori's coach takes her under his wing, Chris moves to the next level.As Chris' and Tori's romantic relationship begins and then evolves, the competition between them intensifies. Chris' coach Scott Glen remarks to Chris, "I don't know which scares you more, beating Tori Skinner or losing to her." Her quandary culminates at the Olympic Trials where Chris and Tori compete for 2 of the 3 spots on the US Women's Pentathalon Team. And the result is unpredictable yet makes perfect sense - and it was even more meaningful given that the competition was for spots non an Olympic team that wasn't going anywhere, as the Moscow Olypics would take place without the US athletes.

blueangel2000 Personal Best is a wonderful story of love, growing up and competition. Chris must grow up and find her own way in an intense arena. She competes with her lover Tori for prizes and the coach's attention. The movie deftly explores the issue of how to compete with and love someone at the same time. The movie is tasteful and handles the issues without a hint of the frat boy sniggering that could so easily have been the theme of the movie.One of my all-time favorite movies.