Feel the rhythm, feel the ride, get on up… it’s Cool Runnings time! Jon Turteltaub’s 1993 film tells a fictionalised version of the true events that led to four men and their coach beating the odds to become the first Jamaican bobsled team.
It all kicks off on the island in November of 1987. A warmth washes over the screen to introduce to Derice Bannock (Leon) in his prime, running like his life depends on it. “Handsome as a lion” is used to describe him by one of the village people. He is strong, full of life and charismatic. At the end of his sprint he greets his lifelong friend, Sanka Coffie (Doug E. Doug), who’s competing in the town’s local pushcart competition. Sanka instantly establishes himself as the light relief and has comedic timing as sharp as a nail.
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The final two members of their soon-to-be bobsled team come in a little later when Derice is lining up to qualify for the Olympics in the 100m sprint. Yul Brenner and Junior Bevil take their marks either side of Bannock and lock themselves into their fate. Before they’re halfway to the finishing line, Junior takes a tumble, knocking Derice and Yul down alongside him, as well as their dreams of making the Olympics.
A twist of fate brings Derice into the hands of his father’s old friend, Irv (John Candy). He’s a cynical, washed-up, twice gold medallist who smashes up a radio with a snooker cue after losing a bet on a horse. A few attempts to get rid of Derice fail and Irv reluctantly agrees to becoming their coach, thus sending them on the journey to become the first bobsled team out of Jamaica.
One of Cool Runnings‘ strengths lies behind the words penned by Lynn Siefert, Tommy Swerdlow and Michael Goldberg. Who each have a credit as writers, and do a brilliant job of giving each protagonist a unique voice that lends itself fantastically to creating an enjoyable 98 minutes. Since the film is straight out of Disney Studios there are some restrictions that take away from some of the more serious notes but overall it does its best not to cheapen the issue at hand.
The message of being true to yourself sings loud and proud as the men tackle their fair share of trials and tribulations. Yul Brenner has dreams of getting out of Jamaica and living in a palace. Junior Bevil has his palace but wants something bigger. Sanka has a heart larger than the island itself. And is relentlessly supportive to Derice, who has enough fire and ambition to fuel them all, and inspire the cynical Irv. Who shows his heart at the eleventh hour when it’s nearly too late for redemption.
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This story is unique for Disney, not only for the location but for its (admittedly weak) attempt at tackling race issues. Not only are the team laughed at in their hometown, they are made a mockery of from the moment they arrive in freezing cold Calgery to qualify for the Olympics, until the second they show themselves for true competitors in the final fifteen minutes. Then, and only then, do they command the respect of not only Jamaica, but their fellow Olympians.
It is through battling their adversaries that the team learn the only way to win is to work together. This comes from Derice seeing past gold medals and learning the importance of teamwork, Sanka taking his job seriously and from Yul putting aside his contempt for Junior long enough to teach him the importance of standing up for himself in his ‘mirror moment’ and iconic monologue
“I see pride, I see power, I see a badass motha’ who don’t take no crap off nobody”
In a way, this somewhat comedic 60 seconds manages to encapsulate the heart of Cool Runnings. It’s a great family version of the underdog story, that is universally well-loved. And although the humour certainly, at times, caters solely to its younger demographic, it never once strays from its core message. There’s a real focus on the morals and the end-goal, as is the case with most Disney films. The consistent dedication to this is where the studio succeeds in reaching people of all ages across the globe.
From standing out in their brightly colour jackets, to the final race, the leads of Cool Runnings never stray from serving their heartfelt, feel-good narrative that will make it a favourite of mine for years to come.
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