Well-meaning but deferential and even rather naive at times, this drama about Jesse Owens’s journey over the hurdles of racism and discrimination to 1936 Olympic success is at pains to show almost every character (Hitler and Goebbels excluded) in the most flattering light possible. It’s an unchallenging watch that is most notable for the high quality of the work behind the camera – the production and costume design are first rate. The simplistic approach means that the film might work best for family audiences as an entry-level introduction to the history of racial politics.
