In 1971, air-conditioner repairman and boat enthusiast Jim McCormick entertains his desire to 'go down' as a legend in the record books when the Gold Cup hydroplane boat race improbably comes to his small town of Madison, Indiana. Immediately, Jim seizes his opportunity to enter the contest. With a motley crew of fellow mechanics and friends at his side, Jim fixes up his old boat and brings hope to the blighted industrial city. Written by Sujit R. Varma
Practical Effects
They actually destroyed real hydroplanes. No CGI nonsense here.
Production
Madison, Indiana basically plays itself. Authentic rust belt decay.
Acting
Bruce Dern's villain sneer could curdle milk.
Director
William Bindley
Jim Caviezel
Jim McCormick
Jake Lloyd
Mike McCormick
Mary McCormack
Bonnie McCormick
Bruce Dern
Harry Volpi
Paul Dooley
Mayor Don Vaughn
Brent Briscoe
Tony Steinhardt
Matt Letscher
Owen
Reed Diamond
Skip Naughton
Chelcie Ross
Roger Epperson
John Mellencamp
Adult Mike McCormick (voice)
Brie Larson
Racing Girl #2
Corey Large
Johnson (uncredited)
Richard Lee Jackson
Buddy Johnson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real 1971 Madison Regatta winner was Mickey Remund, not a fictional underdog. Hollywood, baby.
This bombed so hard in 2005 that Jim Caviezel didn't headline another theatrical release for 15 years. Sometimes the underdog loses.
US
