Overview
Four out-of-shape mechanics embark on a hilarious journey to save their garage by running a marathon.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- breezy
- lazy sunday
- feel good movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an entertaining and heartfelt Dutch comedy drama with strong audience appeal, despite its conventional underdog formula.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Four out-of-shape car mechanics attempt marathon training to save their Rotterdam garage from a tax debt.
The mechanics transform their physical and personal lives through shared marathon preparation.
The story centers on beer-drinking, cigarette-smoking mechanics working in a Rotterdam car shop.
Finishing the marathon is tied directly to repayment of the garage's debt and its survival.
Films like The Marathon, and why
The Full Monty
shared underdog sports premise, working-class humor, friendship, and uplifting personal growth
Eddie the Eagle
shared feel-good ensemble comedy, middle-aged protagonists, financial pressure, and communal perseverance
Brassed Off
shared working-class camaraderie, physical challenge, comic setbacks, and heartfelt redemption
Movie Details
- Director
- Diederick Koopal
- Release Date
- 2012-10-18
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (92)
Cast
- Frank Lammers
- Martin van Waardenberg
- Marcel Hensema
- Stefan de Walle
- Georgina Verbaan
- Loes Luca
- Mimoun Oaïssa
- Cynthia Abma
- Annet Malherbe
- Ariane Schluter
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Marathon about?
- Four struggling Rotterdam mechanics turn an improbable marathon bid into a boisterous fight to save their garage and themselves.
- What is The Marathon like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Marathon as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Marathon violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Marathon.
- What did critics think of The Marathon?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an entertaining and heartfelt Dutch comedy drama with strong audience appeal, despite its conventional underdog formula.
- Which films are like The Marathon?
- Films with a similar feel include The Full Monty, Eddie the Eagle, and Brassed Off.
- How long is The Marathon?
- The Marathon runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Marathon?
- In United States, The Marathon is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video.
