The Program
Momentum Pictures | Release Date: March 18, 2016
6.4
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
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9
Mixed:
10
Negative:
0
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User Reviews

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7
LeZeeMay 14, 2016
What would you choose to do if you get a second chance in your life.

I think it came at the right time. The recent report says there are lots of athletes around the world from the different sports failed their doping tests. But this storyWhat would you choose to do if you get a second chance in your life.

I think it came at the right time. The recent report says there are lots of athletes around the world from the different sports failed their doping tests. But this story sets around the 15 years ago, which was based on the real sportsperson's life story. Lance Armstrong, a cyclist from the Texas and his record breaking back to back wins at the 'The Tour de France'. The film narrates a tale that what he chose to do with the second chance of his life.

A very interesting biopic, but kind of confusing over what kind of revelation the film is. I mean whether inspiring to fight back the disease, especially what he contributed to the poor and orphan cancer patients, or cheating the game to become a fame. So what I think is it has the both positives and negatives. I liked the balanced screenplay, that is very smart for a controversial person like this.

It's like a modern 'Robinhood' tale. But here, he's not stealing from the rich, instead he cheats the game. Those tricks were unbelievable. That's not the right thing to do, but that's what he's good at. Ben Foster was amazing, I'd seen him doing lots of supporting roles, but for this he's the posterboy. This film is a great example that the lies cannot go on forever, sooner or later the justice will be done. People hate him and so this film. There are others who like him as well, but I'm neutral and people like me has to go through a hard time to rate it.

6½/10… Expand
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7
BrianMcCriticJun 12, 2016
This is a fine telling of one of the biggest lies in the history of the sporting world. The film documents Armstrong's continues lies and the fact he hid behind his charity for cover. I appreciated the fact they showed how he would actThis is a fine telling of one of the biggest lies in the history of the sporting world. The film documents Armstrong's continues lies and the fact he hid behind his charity for cover. I appreciated the fact they showed how he would act toward others though I wish they would have shown in more detail the lives he tried to ruin and in some cases did ruin. Overall a solid effort though. B… Expand
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5
EpicLadySpongeMay 17, 2016
What this Program needs is a little bit of explaining to do. Alright sure, don't be asking me for a raise just to see this movie again because it possibly won't, but depends on the person I make contact on. This is a biography about LanceWhat this Program needs is a little bit of explaining to do. Alright sure, don't be asking me for a raise just to see this movie again because it possibly won't, but depends on the person I make contact on. This is a biography about Lance Armstrong and it couldn't work itself to get favorable reviews.… Expand
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7
horrorliefhebJun 10, 2016
-The Program (working title Icon) is a 2015 British-French biographical drama film about Lance Armstrong directed by Stephen Frears, starring Ben Foster as Armstrong and Chris O'Dowd as journalist David Walsh.

-The film is based on Walsh's-The Program (working title Icon) is a 2015 British-French biographical drama film about Lance Armstrong directed by Stephen Frears, starring Ben Foster as Armstrong and Chris O'Dowd as journalist David Walsh.

-The film is based on Walsh's book Seven Deadly Sins. It premiered at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival on 14 September 2015 and was theatrically released in France on 16 September and the United Kingdom on 14 October.

--Development:

-Screenwriter John Hodge has said that he primarily based his screenplay on Seven Deadly Sins, in addition to other journalism and affidavits from cyclists. Hodge says he ruled out using Armstrong's own accounts of his behavior during this period, and that scenes shown from Armstrong's perspective are fiction.

--Casting:

-Lee Pace joined the cast in November 2013. Dustin Hoffman joined the cast in December 2013.

-To better understand his role, Foster took performance enhancing drugs while shooting the film.… Expand
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8
BroyaxJul 9, 2019
Très bon film de Stephen Frears sur le roi des dopés et sur ce sport en particulier qui brasse tellement d'interêt et d'argent que les scandales successifs et récurrents n'égratignent pas... Mais le cyclisme n'est que l'arbre qui cache laTrès bon film de Stephen Frears sur le roi des dopés et sur ce sport en particulier qui brasse tellement d'interêt et d'argent que les scandales successifs et récurrents n'égratignent pas... Mais le cyclisme n'est que l'arbre qui cache la forêt, la forêt du dopage dans le sport en général : des jeux olympiques au Tour ou aux 100 mètres ou tout ce qu'on veut, tous les "sportifs" sont chargés comme des mules.

Pour autant, c'est aussi le portrait d'un homme qui voulait simplement "gagner" et s'est donné tous les moyens pour y parvenir ; un portrait en demi-teintes de gris qui peut être touchant par moments. Très documenté, le film se laisse suivre comme un polar et explique très bien les tenants et les aboutissants d'une véritable petite organisation mafieuse.

Certes un peu longuette, la démonstration s'avère en tout cas concluante et fait froid dans le dos. Il ne reste plus qu'à s'occuper de l'athlétisme, du tennis, du football, du basket et du reste... la liste est longue comme le bras, car le sport moderne est avant tout une affaire de tricheurs...… Expand
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5
DawdlingPoetNov 28, 2021
This is an ok biopic. Its a bit bland and not especially exciting as such, for a sports drama but its, you guessed it, ok. I like Chris O'Dowd, so when I heard he was in it, I wanted to see it. I do like a good biopic and character focussedThis is an ok biopic. Its a bit bland and not especially exciting as such, for a sports drama but its, you guessed it, ok. I like Chris O'Dowd, so when I heard he was in it, I wanted to see it. I do like a good biopic and character focussed dramas, so this should have been interesting but it felt just a bit too long drawn out and given its got a running time of slightly under an hour and three quarters long, that does say something. However, there is a decent cast, with Dustin Hoffman and the main character played by Ben Foster, who does give a fairly convincing performance. Lance certainly comes across as a cocky, brash sort of guy. Perhaps its because its based on a true story that it feels a bit uncomfortable but usually I'm quite keen and even find films more compelling if I know their based on true stories but in this case, it just didn't quite feel great but it isn't entirely bad - its watchable and with a good cast, just not at all compelling or memorable really. Overall, unsurprisingly, I wouldn't recommend it, no.… Expand
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5
NickTheCritickNov 1, 2022
Didactic, elementary and superficial. The story of the greatest and most arrogant scammer in sports history needed to be explored better in terms of both narrative and character exploration. Definitely not one of the best Frears movies.
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8
aemfarizSep 7, 2023
Famous to be apploused. But still the best in the 20 century. The good lifestyle must meet the body need. Not doped!
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