What makes a great sports movie? There are a few key ingredients—an underdog, a forgotten hero, a washed-up has-been, and an unlikely, possibly unachievable goal. We’ve seen this formula before, but when it’s combined with something niche, deeply personal, and refreshingly original, we get a hidden gem like Racewalkers from Kevin Claydon and Phil Moniz. This film reignites what indie comedy can achieve with a mainstream feel, yet still remains uniquely its own. Racewalkers is fking epic. I can’t wait for you to see it.
The film stars Claydon and Moniz, with Claydon playing Matt Mackenzie, a former pro athlete whose career imploded, landing him in a Ryan Leaf-level downward spiral. Enter Will Lester (Moniz), a racewalking enthusiast who sees Olympic potential in Mackenzie after a chance encounter. What follows is an outrageously funny, heartfelt buddy story, blending classic sports movie tropes with a fresh, authentic dynamic. Lester, a little person who has spent his life being underestimated—even by himself—teams up with Mackenzie, forming a rare double-underdog duo that will have audiences cheering every triumph.
It’s no surprise that, during the film’s Q&A, the filmmakers revealed earlier drafts were raunchier and more outrageous. Yet, what they landed on is perfectly balanced, capturing a wholesome, feel-good energy while still delivering the edge and irreverence of classics like Bad News Bears and Days of Thunder.
Comparisons to Dodgeball are inevitable, but Racewalkers doesn’t need cheap gags or lewd humor to be hilarious. It’s funny from the start, effortlessly building into the kind of film you’ll want to tell everyone to watch. This is exactly why I come to festivals like Slamdance—to find gems like this. Racewalkers is the kind of watercooler sports flick that makes believers of us all. What more could you ask for?
Rating: 4.5/5
Director:
Phil Moniz, Kevin Claydon
Screenwriter:
Evan Landry, Kevin Claydon, Phil Moniz
Producer:
Jeff Chan, Chris Paré, Robbie Amell, Alex Paquin, Evan Landry, Amanda Pileggi
Cast:
Kevin Claydon, Phil Moniz, Robbie Amell, Greg Bryk, Jess Salgueiro, Italia Ricci, Rebekah Francoz, Ryan Blakely
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