8 Seconds

A film about bull riding. Lane Frost has been doing this since childhood. His father rode too and expects a great deal of his son; their relationship is a permanent wait for approval. Lane rises. He starts at small events, then enters the professional association and becomes world champion. From there the film is about what follows a championship. There is money, there is a crowd, there is recognition; but the earnings are scattered, the travelling never stops, and a marriage cannot hold that pace. The side line is two friends: men who ride the same events, travel in the same car and keep track of each other's injuries. What the narrative is interested in is not sport but expectation: Lane is always trying to be the person somebody wants, and never considers stopping. The title comes from a rule: eight seconds is how long a rider has to stay on the bull. What the ending is, is known; Lane Frost died during an event in 1989 and it was discussed in American rodeo for a long time. After his death protective vests came into common use. The rodeo scenes were shot at real events with real riders. Luke Perry plays Lane. Stephen Baldwin and Cynthia Geary are in the cast. John G. Avildsen directed; he is known for sports films. Who it is for: anyone who likes sports biographies and films about rural America. Who it is not for: anyone looking for a critical view; the film does not question its subject and its tone is respectful throughout.