Lance Armstrong is a most controversial name in sporting history, a man who soared high against adversity and his detractors, only to be revealed as the very thing he fought against: a drug-taking cheat. This year, Stephen Frears delves into the story with The Program.
The film has been adapted from reporter David Walsh's book, portrayed by Chris O'Dowd. Walsh collected evidence against Armstrong. The film details Armstrong (Ben Foster) and his rise and fall from fame.
Frears is a fantastic director, but the material doesn't help him. The focus on the depths of Armstrong's deception (needlephobes beware) and establishing his egotistical drive to win leaves little time to focus on anything else (relationships in particular are only glimpsed). Thus uncovering the truth, drama is forgotten. That said, there is stylish camerawork, particularly the bike races.
The acting certainly elevates the material, with the incredibly underrated Ben Foster embodying Armstrong with force and dedication. While he's mostly a villain, kudos to Foster for nailing Armstrong's sympathetic side in one scene comforting a boy with cancer. In support there's a solid group, with O'Dowd as Walsh the surprise, showing solid dramatic chops.
Overall, it's slightly lacklustre. It would work better as a doco, rather than a drama.
