Unfortunately, overblown production just pumps hot air in too many directions and comes up limp.
American Flyers
Two brothers challenge the road. And life itself.
1985 · 1h 53m · PG-13
Drama
Directed by
John Badham
Overview
When Dr. Marcus Sommers realizes that he and his troubled, estranged brother David may be prone a fatal brain disease that runs in their family, he decides to make peace with his sibling, and invites him on a trip to the Rockies. There, the brothers bond over their shared enthusiasm for cycling and decide to enter a grueling bike race through the mountains. However, Marcus' health soon begins to fail, and David must compete without his brother at his side.
Director and cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
A pleasant, straight-down-the-road, cliche-ridden ride.
The performances aren't bad, but they aren't good enough to give the film the heft it doesn't otherwise have.
American Flyers is shaky at the core, because it tries to tap-dance around its own central issues.
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