Yaya DaCosta and Charles S Dutton in "Racing For Time"
courtesy of Lifetime
"Racing For Time" (Lifetime)

Lifetime brings another true story to life in the original movie "Racing For Time." This film is inspirational and totally entertaining. It is also highlighted by several strong performances. Charles S Dutton is the star of the film but it is completely stolen by a Yaya DaCosta's breakthrough performance.

The film takes place at the Texas Correctional Youth Authority. Cleveland "Stack" Stackhouse (Dutton) is a guard there. One day he is saddened to see Vanessa Turner (DaCosta) returned to the facility. She has been in the wrong place at the wrong time and is now serving a two-year sentence.

Stackhouse wants desperately to do something to help the young women he is guarding. Amazingly he comes up with the idea of teaching them how to race. He manages to get Turner involved and she helps him get other women into the program. As they learn to compete they also gain the respect of each other and themselves.

This movie is basically "The Gridiron Gang" but with women and racing as opposed to men and football. Both movies are based on true stories and both are wonderfully uplifting. They also show a situation where everyone is not taken with the sports idea. There is a lot of opposition that has to be overcome.

"Racing For Time" has a bit of a twist at the end that makes the movie have an amazing impact. It is in the very last scene so don't miss it.

DaCosta is a true find as the incarcerated girl. She brings emotion and believability to her performance. Dutton is also very good as the inspirational Stackhouse. Elizabeth Pena shows strength as the warden/superintendent of the facility.

February is Black History month and this is a great movie about a young black girl who turned her life around. Yaya DaCosta should have a bright future in Hollywood. Remember you saw her here in this movie first.

"Racing For Time" premieres on Lifetime on Saturday, February 16 at 9PM. This is a good movie to watch with your entire family.
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

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