★★1/2

Executive produced by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Sprinter is a well-intentioned, low-budget, inspirational story of a Jamaican runner (Dale Elliott) coming to terms with his talent, and coming-of-age, in America.

Co-writer and director Storm Saulter has his heart in the right place, but struggles to find a proper tone, veering between edgy, R-rated content, and rousing, family-friendly scenes of overcoming adversity and obstacles. Poor overdubbing of dialogue, anachronistic editing stumbles - the obvious passion poured into the film makes not liking it feel mean-spirited in some way.

Ultimately, Sprinter just feels like a race we have run many times before.

Sprinter is playing May 18 and May 20 at the Seattle International Film Festival.
(Purchase tickets now)