Because running is a lonely sport, a movie about the camaraderie involved in it is almost surely doomed to failure. That may be one of the reasons for this film's meager ratings. And yet "On the Edge" overcomes the paradox by pitting an honest man against a corrupt system: the actual sport of cross-country running becomes secondary to the subject of personal integrity. And Bruce Dern, never adequately appreciated, quietly underplays his role, letting his legs carry him to a triumph that transcends individual accomplishment and underscores the relationship among all athletes everywhere.
I'm not sure how this movie went from an "R" to a "PG-13." Maybe someone expurgated it for television, but that was a mistake--the change seems to have removed some of the grittiness that makes the story so appealing. Still, even though the viewing audience might be limited, it's a film that deserves a DVD release in its original "R" rating; otherwise, when the VHS format disappears, a good movie will vanish with it.
I'm not sure how this movie went from an "R" to a "PG-13." Maybe someone expurgated it for television, but that was a mistake--the change seems to have removed some of the grittiness that makes the story so appealing. Still, even though the viewing audience might be limited, it's a film that deserves a DVD release in its original "R" rating; otherwise, when the VHS format disappears, a good movie will vanish with it.