Our Flick of the Week is “8 Seconds,” which is sweet and tender in ways that current American movies rarely are, as if decency, fidelity and achievement were considered box-office poison. That “8 Seconds” is about a rodeo bull rider only makes it that much more odd and appealing. Luke Perry, so often described as a heartthrob that his considerable talent is taken for granted, stars in the true story of Lane Frost, who became a champion in his early 20s before his life took unexpected turns.
Sharing Lane’s journey to the top are a couple of young good ol’ boys who like carousing as much as bull riding. They represent the devil on Lane’s shoulder, whereas a pretty young rodeo star named Kellie (Cynthia Geary) is an angel, as well as someone Lane would like to marry. Their gentle courtship, coming between events on the rodeo circuit, is the kind of romance that films a half-century ago depicted. Lane is respectful to Kellie and her mother, yet proud enough not to take a handout from her wealthy father.
“8 Seconds” is a film that youngsters and teenagers might enjoy . . . until the issue of marital infidelity is raised. As a young champion, Lane has his problems on the road with groupies. His stardom has rushed past his maturity. “8 Seconds” (named for the length of a legitimate ride) rushes to a gushy conclusion, and a lengthy end title sequence of video material of the real Lane Frost suggests a hastily made film that could have used another rewrite. But on balance, “8 Seconds” has real charm and marks Luke Perry as a movie actor with a future.
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“8 Seconds” is playing at the Water Tower, Webster Place and outlying theaters. Rated PG-13. (STAR)(STAR)(STAR)
– (equals) New This Week
– BODY SNATCHERS (Fine Arts). Abel Ferrara delivers a masterful piece of art direction in adapting the classic science-fiction story of pod people trying to inherit the earth. But his story development is lackluster, and we end up noticing the shadows more than anything else. R. (STAR)(STAR) 1/2
– SUGAR HILL (Burnham Plaza, Chestnut Station and outlying). A great-looking but empty-headed retread of that old saw about the gangster who wants to go straight. We saw Al Pacino play it recently in “Carlito’s Way,” and now Wesley Snipes stars in a Harlem saga, trying to break free from his more violence-obsessed brother. The look may be fresh, but you know this story cold. R. (STAR)(STAR)