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Personal Best

Name: Personal Best
Genre: Drama
Released: 1982-02-05
Cast: Mariel Hemingway, Patrice Donnelly, Scott Glenn, Kenny Moore, Jim Moody

1982 | 124 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (73% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it made about 7 times its budget, though it had little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Million Dollar Baby or Ali, start here.
The mood: Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 4 min.
What might put you off: Rated R: expect sex.

Young sprinter Chris Cahill is having difficulty reaching her potential as an athlete, until she meets established track star Tory Skinner. As Tory and her coach help Chris with her training, the two women form friendship that evolves into a romantic relationship. Their intimacy, however, becomes complicated when Chris' improvement causes them to be competitors for the Olympic team.

How it earned its rating

CriticsStrong
73% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
Box office & staying powerStrong
$110 million worldwide on a $16 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 38K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Robert Towne

Mariel HemingwayChris Cahill
Patrice DonnellyTory Skinner
Scott GlennTerry Tingloff
Kenny MooreDenny Stites
Jim MoodyRoscoe Travis
Larry PennellRick Cahill
Luana AndersRita Cahill
George De La PenaRaoul
Kari G. PeytonPenny Brill
Jodi AndersonNadia "Pooch" Anderson