Across the Tracks (1991)

I probably like this more a lot more than most people but this is definitely one of my favorite movies of all time. The plot i simple and heart warming. One brother makes a mistake and this is his story of him trying to escape his troubled past and fit back in with his family. The two brothers billy and Joe each find comfort from their tragic home life in the track team at their respective schools and this tears the brothers further apart. In the end one of the brothers throws the race in order to save his relationship with his brother which is truly hart warming. Again like cutting class I don't think Brad Pitt was the stand out actor in this movie but I do think Ricky Schroeder was. He played his part really well. I f you want to be entertained by a truly heartwarming tale in my opinion this is definitely one for you. I could probably watch this movie day after day and still really enjoy it and that is why this gets 10/10 in my opinion.

In what looks like the Los Angeles area, pot-smoking hot blond Rick Schroder (as William "Billy" Maloney) steals a car and gets caught by the cops, while skuzzy pal David Anthony Marshall (as Louie) escapes by dumpster diving. After a year in reform school, Mr. Schroder is granted probation. He goes home to live with poor widowed mother Carrie Snodgress (as Rosemary) and older brother Brad Pitt (as Joe "Joey" Maloney), a high school track star aching for a Stanford scholarship...Screw-up Schroder is enrolled in a (nicer) high school on the other side of town, due to some program set up with the reformatory. This sets up the storyline as the brothers may eventually face-off "Across the Tracks" on opposing track teams. Apparently, Mr. Pitt did not get long well with his kid brother, and gives him a really hard time. Schroder has sweaty nightmares and must resist strong lures to return to his delinquent lifestyle. Mother Snodgress loves both of her sons with all of her heart...This story of sibling rivalry takes a long time to get off the ground as the opening acts do little to make it convincing. Schroder and Pitt do not initially impress as brothers. Pitt employs some obvious "high school gosh" for his characterization; with a good tail wind, his bangs threaten to win the race on their own. Surprisingly, considering their subsequent acting reputations, Schroder is the one who builds-up some believability, minus the partying. Turnabout is fair play, in brotherly love and acting.****** Across the Tracks (1991) Sandy Tung ~ Rick Schroder, Brad Pitt, Carrie Snodgress, David Anthony Marshall

I thought this film was great, it is a simple and emotional story based on two brothers, who both happen to be good looking and great actors. I really like Rick's performance in this and think he looks gorgeous! Overall a great film and of course not forgetting Brad Pitt, who is always excellent! I definitely recommend this film if you are a fan of either Pitt or Schroder, or just want to chill out with a nice film (especially if you are female).

...okay, not really. But still, this Ricky Schroder/Brad Pitt production (made when Schroder was the bigger name) has all the after-school special charm of...all those after-school specials that I forget the names of. The story is cliched and the characters are simplistic, but if you don't take it too seriously and pretend your high school track team is watching it on the way back from state championships or something silly like that, you might actually have a great time with this movie. If you actually want to see a real movie and not something that is just fun to laugh at, I wouldn't recommend it. Great for bigger, slightly intoxicated audiences, especially if they are runners. Also great for people who love incredibly sappy stories of brotherly love.