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Personal Best, directed by Robert Towne in 1982, is a sports drama film that follows the story of two female track-and-field athletes pursuing their dreams of competing in the Olympics. The movie revolves around the intense training, personal sacrifices, and emotional struggles of these athletes as they strive to reach their personal bests and overcome societal expectations and gender stereotypes.

The film begins with a talented young runner, Chris Cahill, played by Mariel Hemingway, who is determined to make it to the Olympics. She is given a chance to join a prestigious training program run by the coach, Terry Tingloff (Scott Glenn), where she meets the second protagonist, Tory Skinner (Patrice Donnelly). Tory is a veteran athlete, slightly older than Chris, and they develop a strong friendship based on their mutual love of the sport and the desire for greatness.

Throughout the movie, the two athletes train together and push each other to perform better, share their personal struggles, and explore their sexuality, which becomes a central theme of the movie. Chris and Tory, attracted to each other, engage in a romantic relationship that develops into a complex love triangle between them and the coach, Tingloff.

As the story progresses, both Chris and Tory face setbacks that test their motivation and commitment to the sport. Chris suffers an injury that forces her to take a break from the training while Tory loses her confidence after a disappointing performance. These challenges are compounded by societal expectations of their femininity and the stigma attached to being a lesbian athlete.

Despite these obstacles, the two protagonists become determined to prove their worth, and their personal lives become intertwined with their athletic careers. Chris, after overcoming her injury, becomes a superior runner and qualifies for the Olympic team while Tory decides to retire after realizing that her love for Chris cannot be reciprocated.

Personal Best is a unique sports drama that explores the complex issues surrounding gender, sex, and ambition in the world of athletics. It portrays the struggle and sacrifices that female athletes make to pursue their dreams, the pressure and scrutiny they face, and the pervasive biases and discrimination they must overcome to succeed.

The movie's director, Robert Towne, who is also a renowned screenwriter, provides a nuanced portrayal of the lesbian relationship between Chris and Tory, representing an untouched aspect of sports movies. Personal Best's portrayal of lesbian relationships at a time when this was still taboo in mainstream media made it more than just a typical sports movie but a fixture in the LGBTQ+ community.

The movie's lead, Mariel Hemmingway, delivers a standout performance as Chris Cahill, capturing the physical and emotional demands of becoming an elite athlete. Patrice Donnelly, who plays Tory Skinner, also delivers a strong performance, and Scott Glenn delivers an excellent portrayal of a coach grappling with his boundaries and the complexity of his team's relationships.

In conclusion, Personal Best is a powerful sports drama that delves into the complex issues of identity, ambition and love through the world of elite athletics. It highlights the struggles faced by female athletes, the social pressure to conform to traditional roles, and the conflicts that arise when competitors' personal and professional lives become intertwined. The movie is a must-watch for sports enthusiasts and anyone interested in exploring the complexities of the human condition.

Personal Best is a 1982 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 4 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 71.