Marathon (2010) User Reviews

Great film

[Marinapomeroy · 8/10 · 11 April 2010]

Marathon is a film with a lot of heart. The visuals are really beautiful with a landscape filled with lush green pathways, orange skies, and ocean shores. The film jumps in time to the past and back again following the story of Richard Harteis and William Meredith (Pulitzer Prize winner and United States Laureate among many other things) after William had suffered a severe stroke. The poetry of Meredith is used in some select scenes and is really really wonderful. The story is a universal one of sacrifice and how the power of love can carry us through the toughest of times and although I myself am not gay, I really enjoyed the film and found the gay theme handled tactfully and respectfully.

poignant and touching film

[cinemaamber · 7/10 · 10 April 2010]

Marathon is tale of courage and endurance. beautifully shot.Brilliant performances by Alec Dana and Bristol Pomeroy. Director Biju Viswanath handles the theme very artistically . The cast, the music and the new London setting matches perfectly .Based on a true story, "Marathon" is about the love shared by Richard Harteis and William Meredith, former poet laureate of the United States and winner of every American prize for poetry as well as the Pulitzer . When William suffered a stroke that left him almost helpless, Richard stood by his lover and fought for the right to be his caregiver against the wishes of William's family and aware of the restrictions that would be put on his own life. The two men were certainly aware that they had not made an easy choice in the past when they decided how they were going to live their lives. Yet it is their love for each other that gets them through whatever troubles they have had or will have. It takes not only resolve and discipline to deal with something like a stroke but their great love for each other gets them through. The film is set against the backdrop of training for and running of the New York marathon We watch Richard gain the strength to work with his partner and see him help him through his illness, therapy and healing and we certainly feel the love they share. Most important than all else is that we see just how far one's dreams can take him. I love this kind of movie Bravo to director Biju Viswanath for this beautiful film. watching it keeps me feeling good about life.

Poetry Slam

[NJMoon · 3/10 · 4 April 2010]

Well intentioned film about America's poet laureate William Meredith Jr. and his partner and fellow poet Richard Harteis after a stroke hits Meredith testing Harteis and their relationship. Trouble with this film is that the good intentions get in the way, the narrative becoming enslaved to the actual events to the point of tedium. Indeed, the real life Harteis is the film's sole producer. The acting is poor, especially by the supporting players - although the leading pair eek out a few tender moments. The screenplay is uninspired, which makes their poetry stand out as all the more remarkable when it is inserted. Hard to hate a film about love and devotion in a world which prizes violence and selfishness, but there's no getting around this noble undertaking's shortfalls either.

A fine story of love and devotion transcending genders

[ljmcfarland · 10/10 · 28 May 2013]

Until this evening we had never even heard of this gem. When the description of two poets came up I thought it would be too flowery overly dramatic and make vague references to ancient characters. I couldn't have been more wrong. Here is a true love story which transcends time and genders. Although I don't see this as a gay movie, others perhaps will, however it was a joy to find something in the gay grendre that wasn't campy, didn't have twenty-somethings bed hopping. Here we have two grown-ups in a time prior to Connecticut offering marriage, and therefore little rights. Speaking of Connecticut the scenery along our southeast shore could have been used as a promotion for the state's tourism association. Mr. Pomeroy, in particular was wonderful with an incredible range of emotions that one rarely sees any more.

A violet by a mossy stone, half-hidden from the eye. Wordsworth.

[sawznhamrs-1 · 9/10 · 27 April 2020]

For me, this was a film happened upon. Randomly, documentaries were playing in succession on a newly discovered network. It began one evening as I neared bedtime, but I was intrigued. Just finished the film the next day. I loved the pace of this important story of two men's lives--both poets and one a national treasure as a former poet laureate. I too was once a young man who had to slow my pace for love. It was not a stroke, but HIV that did it for us. This carefully told story honors the love and devotion between these two men. There is no other way to appreciate the days spent together in such cases. It is a complete contrast to the frequent roughshod approaches to same sex themed films. I am always astonished to learn of another artist who was in plain view, but yet remained overlooked. I could not give it any less than an excellent review because it is the story of someone's life and love. I am one very thankful viewer to the William Meredith Foundation for producing this film.