ONE LAST RUN (1990)

Title: ONE LAST RUN (Formerly: FACE THE EDGE)

Year of Release: 1990

Director: Glenn Gebhard, Peter Winograd

Genre: Adventure, Action, Drama

Synopsis: Three friends who meet once a year at a ski lodge catch up with what is going on in their lives.

Within a film history context: Movies which have a ski resort or lodge as a setting have been featured many times in cinema history. In Elliott Nugent's AND SO THEY WERE MARRIED (1936), the majority of the action took place in a ski resort. A widower and a divorcee clash, and later fall in love during their time there, but their offspring may be the biggest obstacle in their way. Romance was also the main issue in THIN ICE (1937), directed by Sidney Lanfield. A ski instructor falls for a man who she sees skiing in the morning, and is surprised when she discovers his true identity. Alfred Hitchcock's MR & MRS. SMITH (1941), featured a married couple whose union was found not to be legal, but are reunited in the end at a ski resort. Affairs of the heart were also in SUN VALLEY SERENADE (1941), directed by H. Bruce Humberstone. This time with a musical background, it involved a pianist's attraction to a young Norwegian woman, and the staging of an ice show with her appearance as the main attraction. As with AND SO THEY WERE MARRIED, in Wesley Ruggles' YOU BELONG TO ME (1941), a millionaire and a woman doctor meet at a ski resort, later marry, but his jealousy of her male patients drives her to distraction. 

HIT THE ICE (1943), directed by Charles Lamont, was an Abbott and Costello entry. Two photographers working for a newspaper become involved in a robbery, with a case of mistaken identities on their part, culminating in mayhem at a ski resort. On the other hand, suspense was rife in Irving Allen's AVALANCHE (1946). The story of intrigue about an agent following a tax fraudster to a ski resort. was a short movie from the Producers Releasing Corporation studio. With SECURITY RISK (1954), directed by Harold D. Schuster, sinister events occur at a ski resort where murder is just one of the crimes committed. In the case of Blake Edwards' THE PINK PANTHER (1963), a ski resort is a main setting in the movie, initiating a hot pursuit of the eponymous 'Pink Panther' diamond by a number of assorted individuals. GET YOURSELF A COLLEGE GIRL (1964), directed by Sidney Miller, had a major component of the movie set in a ski resort, where romance and musical acts take place. Alan Rafkin's comedy musical SKI PARTY (1965), was of a similar persuasion. Two young men head out to a ski resort to find love, and indulge in comic hijinks to make themselves attractive to the opposite sex.

Romance in the snow was once again on view in WINTER A-GO-GO (1965), directed by Richard Benedict. When an adventurous young man inherits a ski lodge, he tries to make it operational by recruiting staff, all the while also having his eyes on young ladies who come into the fray. In contrast, George Englund's SNOW JOB (1972), mined different territory. A skiing instructor at a ski resort plans to extort the finances of the establishment, with the assistance of his girlfriend and a ski racing friend, but find their match in an inquisitive insurance inspector. SNOWBALL EXPRESS (1972), directed by Norman Tokar, was a Disney family comedy of an attorney who inherits a hotel in a sorry state, and decides to convert it into a ski resort, with many difficulties encountered along the way. In Larry Peerce's ASH WEDNESDAY (1973), a woman who has just had plastic surgery checks into a ski resort where young men begin to squire her, her marriage in peril. 

CRIME AND PASSION (1976), directed by Ivan Passer, had a number of major narrative events occur in a ski resort setting, with an international cast including Omar Sharif, Karen Black, and Joseph Bottoms. Corey Allen's disaster movie AVALANCHE (1978), also had a large part of the movie's action take place in a ski resort, and, in particular, an avalanche which destroys the complex. In contrast, a lighter mood was apparent in JUST THE WAY YOU ARE (1984), directed by Edouard Molinaro. This film followed a flutist with a leg disability, wearing a brace, and how she goes to a ski resort and finds romance, seeking to not be seen as being physically challenged by others. Jeff Kwitny's ICED (1989), was a slasher movie about the opening of a new ski resort, and how the invitees to the ceremony are under mortal threat by a psychopath, who wants to dispatch as many as possible. ONE LAST RUN, arriving on screen in 1990, was another entry in movies with a ski resort/ski lodge setting, and one of the most interesting.

The movie had a number of features which set it apart from the other films set in a ski resort/ski lodge. Many of the examples concentrated on a couple, or people finding romance at a ski resort, such as AND SO THEY WERE MARRIED, THIN ICE, SUN VALLEY SERENADE, and YOU BELONG TO ME. ONE LAST RUN, in comparison, explored the lives of several characters within its structure. This gave ONE LAST RUN a point of difference to the other movies. While one of the three main stories centered upon a ski instructor's relationship with a barmaid, the movie largely differentiated its other two threads in terms of the characters' lives away from romantic considerations. The policeman's life was not based in romance, neither that of the doctor. The doctor had some reservations about not being able to attend next year's meetup with his friends due to personal and family commitments. These stories gave the movie a realistic feel, as if the characters were grounded in situations which would not be far removed from actuality. This down to earth approach also infused other areas of ONE LAST RUN.

ONE LAST RUN kept away from melodramatic story arcs, preferring a cleaner presentation. A major example of this is the following. The snowstorm does not cause any mayhem or carnage in the movie, instead, it assists the characters to sit it out together, through which the spectator learns more about them, and their thinking. It is not a matter of a snowstorm bringing death and destruction as in AVALANCHE (1978), with things more relatable in ONE LAST RUN. The movie has a sense of comfort for viewers, in that it is character-driven, and does not highlight crazy plot twists and turns. In some ways, the film's limited ski lodge setting does work in its favour. The single setting intensifies the action, maintaining interest in the story, and its characters by gliding gracefully from character to character without any gaps. This is successfully backed up by the ski footage, and the accompanying voiceovers which themselves are linked to characters. The other outdoor scenes of characters additionally provide depth to the picture, and views of an outside world. A well-rounded movie which wins with its attention to detail, ONE LAST RUN is a solid film which deserves greater recognition.

Overview: ONE LAST RUN was co-directed by Glenn Gebhard and Peter Winograd. Mr Gebhard has three motion pictures to his name, being more active in television direction, production and editing, to name a few of his credits. His first movie, BLOOD SCREAMS (1989), was a horror story of a Mexican town, and how two visitors are blamed when citizens begin to disappear. DESERT STEEL (1994) was a light drama of a racing car driver in Las Vegas, and his romantic pursuits. Peter Winograd has a shorter overall list of credits, his first film being FLICKS (1983). A comedy anthology consisting of six segments, it starred Pamela Sue Martin and Joan Hackett. The directors collaborated on both production and screenplay aspects in ONE LAST RUN. ONE LAST RUN was the second picture from each director, and an above-average movie.

Glenn Gebhard and Peter Winograd have created an entertaining movie in ONE LAST RUN. The story of three men who meet once a year at a ski lodge, being a professional skier, a doctor, and a policeman, it is a character-driven film which has a realistic edge, but nevertheless maintains a lightness, and sweetness in its execution which is pleasing to witness. The character interactions and events all have a sense of genuineness to them, never being cloying. There is the feeling that these are real people, and that the events depicted could have truly occurred. Despite being set in a ski lodge, the movie does have its feet firmly planted on the ground, and this is one of its refreshing facets. The emotions of the characters are sincere, and never strained. Restricting the movie to a single set throughout the majority of its running time, though, does have a two-pronged effect. On the one hand, it frames events well, keeping the focus tight on its small set of characters. When looked at in another vein, the single set does have its drawbacks, limiting the picture in some ways.

To be fair, throughout there are scenes which elaborate on the lives of the characters which are removed from the ski lodge setting. These do provide depth to the characters, and knowledge to the viewer. Having this single set does limit movement in terms of certain scenes. Nick and Jane's argument takes place fully inside the ski lodge, but one does wish that it could have moved to a kitchen area, or some other place, as Jane was a waitress at the lodge. Possibly the single set was for budgetary reasons, but having more sets would have given even more dimension to the movie. The confinement of the sets has also consequently stifled the story. ONE LAST RUN has characters one wants to know more about which is one of its best qualities. Nick and Jane's love affair could have been further extended, with even more heated emotions displayed. Tom is a jazzy policeman, but his personal life would have benefitted from more spotlighting, likewise with Joe. Finding out more about Joe's feelings about being a doctor, and life would have been fascinating. Charlie emits spirited comic relief, but, again, his life needed more filling out in the movie. Regardless of these gaps in the story, it can be said that ONE LAST RUN is a diverting picture which definitely has the courage of its convictions.

Acting: ONE LAST RUN has a small but talented cast who make the film shine. As Nick, a professional skier with love on his mind, Russell Todd is in another of his great romantic roles. Mr Todd is an actor with a relaxed aura, and authority that works exceedingly well in romantic parts. One of the pleasures of this movie is seeing his Nick stewing, and fighting for the love of a woman, but losing his composure all in the name of amour. Joe the harried doctor is brought to life by Jimmy Aleck. Seeming every bit the doctor he plays in both appearance and behaviour, Mr Aleck is convincing as the humorous, torn medical practitioner. The movie's policeman, Tom, is played with ingratiating charm by Craig Branham. An actor with a suave but approachable demeanor, Mr Branham brings humor to his fearless character. 

The apple of Nick's eye is played with appropriate savvy by Ashley Lawrence as Jane. Witnessing the mood change of the character from her first appearance to her last in the film is a testament to the validity of Jane's emotions. As Cindy, the charming woman who may or may not have her eye on Joe, Tracy Scoggins brings allure and pizazz to her role. An actress who was well featured on television soap operas Dynasty and The Colbys, here her street smarts are on display, with a sense of humor which ties it all up with a bow. The final contribution of note was by Nels Van Patten as Charlie. While providing some of the picture's comic relief, he also makes his skier real despite his outrageous wardrobe which he does not allow to upstage his performance.

Soundtrack: The jazzy instrumental score by Mike Garson works very well in ONE LAST RUN. It blends beautifully with the many skiing sequences, giving these a zest and freshness all their own. There is also incidental music in the movie, such as the scenes where Nick reminisces of his times with Jane, that sensitively delineate their relationship in a subtle manner. 

Mise-en-scene: ONE LAST RUN has an excellent grasp of its mise-en-scene which is pleasing to witness. Cinematography by Thomas Callaway is beautiful, the ski segments all exciting to watch, and easy on the eyes. The various outdoor scenes, such as Tom's criminal pursuit, Nick and Jane's time together, and the snowstorm traffic scenes, to name several, are all realistic, and make sense to the narrative. Aside from this, the ski lodge set where the majority of the action occurs is well-appointed, warm, and cozy. Lighting is another asset in the movie, with the sets, and actors well-lit without having too much light cast on them, giving both a pleasant, and naturalistic glow.

Notable Acting Performances: Russell Todd, Jimmy Aleck, Craig Branham, Ashley Lawrence, Tracy Scoggins, Nels Van Patten. 

Suitability for young viewers: Parental discretion advised. Mild adult themes.

Overall Grade: B

Link: IMDB Page