It's 1977. Athletic university kid Terry Fox (Eric Fryer) is diagnosed with cancer in his knee and his leg is amputated. With the help of new girlfriend Rika Noda (Rosalind Chao), brother Darrell Fox (Chris Makepeace) and best friend Doug Alward (Michael Zelniker), he starts running in races and decides to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. After breaking up with Rika and with little support, Terry and Doug start from Halifax as he runs home to Vancouver. He's later joined by Darrell and Bill Vigars (Robert Duvall) from the cancer society in Toronto.
The first part is functional TV affair. It's nothing spectacular but it works. The movie really gets going once he's on the road. Terry and Doug's relationship is compelling. It shows Terry to be not simply a saint but an actual human being. The receptions he gets are the real tearjerker. The movie then adds the great Robert Duvall to the mix. Obviously, Fryer got the job because of his amputation and his likeness to Terry. He is still a competent actor who is able to hit certain notes. Zelniker is amazing as Doug. This is a solid TV production of an inspiring figure.
The first part is functional TV affair. It's nothing spectacular but it works. The movie really gets going once he's on the road. Terry and Doug's relationship is compelling. It shows Terry to be not simply a saint but an actual human being. The receptions he gets are the real tearjerker. The movie then adds the great Robert Duvall to the mix. Obviously, Fryer got the job because of his amputation and his likeness to Terry. He is still a competent actor who is able to hit certain notes. Zelniker is amazing as Doug. This is a solid TV production of an inspiring figure.