The Program
Ben Foster (Lone Survivor) is infamous athlete and cheat Lance Armstrong in this biographical drama depicting the events that led to him being exposed. Co-stars Chris O’Dowd as David Walsh, the sports journalist who investigated the case. Directed by Stephen Frears (Philomena) from a screenplay by John Hodge (Trainspotting).
- Director:
- Stephen Frears ('Philomena', 'The Queen', 'High Fidelity')
- Writer:
- John Hodge
- Cast:
- Ben FosterChris O'DowdLee PaceDustin HoffmanJesse Plemons
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Liam Maguren
flicksThe opening shot of director Stephen Frears’ follow-up to the wonderful Philomena sees world-famous cycling cheat Lance Armstrong pedalling uphill by himself on a seemingly endless road. This beautifully framed scene smartly represents the character’s impossible-to-meet standards of satisfaction while perfectly illustrating the isolation he created for himself. The act also represent the film itself: procedural and forgettable, but not a total waste of time.
Fast and merciless.
It's a fast and flowing film that does not bother with any superfluous details. Stephen Frears is absolutely merciless with his subject, and Ben Foster is brilliantly despicable as Lance Armstrong. While the great Chris O'Dowd ,as David Walsh, shows us the journalist being shunned by his colleagues after confronting Armstrong but persevering in his quest to...
Variety
pressIn the film’s richest performance, Plemons beautifully teases out the ambiguities and potential hypocrisies of Landis’ own moral position...
Total Film
pressDrives home the dark lie that Lance Armstrong lived – it’s just a pity it doesn’t dig a little deeper.
Time Out
pressIt has an unsettling air that carries us through its more pedestrian patches.
The Telegraph
pressYou sense structural uncertainty about what the Armstrong saga connotes and how exactly it was begging to be told. But you can’t take your eyes off Foster.
The Guardian
pressIt’s a fluid and nippy telling of a tale that still seems strangely urgent.
Little White Lies
pressAll the necessary components are there, but this slickly constructed machine only scratches the surface.
Hollywood Reporter
pressThis dreary drama about the disgraced cyclist just goes through motions.
Empire Magazine
pressShot and sharply scripted, powered by an outstanding performance from Ben Foster and the quiet integrity of Chris O’Dowd.
Flicks, Liam Maguren
flicksThe opening shot of director Stephen Frears’ follow-up to the wonderful Philomena sees world-famous cycling cheat Lance Armstrong pedalling uphill by himself on a seemingly endless road. This beautifully framed scene smartly represents the character’s impossible-to-meet standards of satisfaction while perfectly illustrating the isolation he created for himself. The act also represent the film itself: procedural and forgettable, but not a total waste of time.
Variety
pressIn the film’s richest performance, Plemons beautifully teases out the ambiguities and potential hypocrisies of Landis’ own moral position...
Total Film
pressDrives home the dark lie that Lance Armstrong lived – it’s just a pity it doesn’t dig a little deeper.
Time Out
pressIt has an unsettling air that carries us through its more pedestrian patches.
The Telegraph
pressYou sense structural uncertainty about what the Armstrong saga connotes and how exactly it was begging to be told. But you can’t take your eyes off Foster.
The Guardian
pressIt’s a fluid and nippy telling of a tale that still seems strangely urgent.
Little White Lies
pressAll the necessary components are there, but this slickly constructed machine only scratches the surface.
Hollywood Reporter
pressThis dreary drama about the disgraced cyclist just goes through motions.
Empire Magazine
pressShot and sharply scripted, powered by an outstanding performance from Ben Foster and the quiet integrity of Chris O’Dowd.
Fast and merciless.
It's a fast and flowing film that does not bother with any superfluous details. Stephen Frears is absolutely merciless with his subject, and Ben Foster is brilliantly despicable as Lance Armstrong. While the great Chris O'Dowd ,as David Walsh, shows us the journalist being shunned by his colleagues after confronting Armstrong but persevering in his quest...
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