The Program (2015 film)

The Program (2015) is a biographical drama film directed by Stephen Frears, focusing on the life of Lance Armstrong, the American cyclist who won the Tour de France seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005, only to have his titles stripped away due to doping charges. The screenplay, written by John Hodge, is based on the book The Seven Deadly Sins: My Pursuit of Lance Armstrong by David Walsh, a sports journalist who was instrumental in uncovering the truth about Armstrong's doping.

Plot

The film chronicles the rise and fall of Lance Armstrong (Ben Foster), depicting his battle with cancer, his meteoric rise to fame, and his eventual confession to using performance-enhancing drugs. The story is told through the eyes of David Walsh (Chris O'Dowd), a journalist for The Sunday Times, who becomes suspicious of Armstrong's achievements and embarks on a quest to expose the truth.

Cast

• Ben Foster as Lance Armstrong
• Chris O'Dowd as David Walsh
• Guillaume Canet as Dr. Michele Ferrari
• Jesse Plemons as Floyd Landis
• Lee Pace as Bill Stapleton
• Denis Ménochet as Johan Bruyneel
• Edward Hogg as Frankie Andreu
• Dustin Hoffman as Bob Hamman

Production

The development of The Program began after the widespread attention to Lance Armstrong's doping scandal. Director Stephen Frears was drawn to the project due to its complex portrayal of a deeply flawed character. Filming took place in various locations, including France and the United Kingdom, to accurately capture the essence of the Tour de France and the international aspect of Armstrong's career.

Reception

Upon its release, The Program received mixed reviews from critics. While Ben Foster's performance as Lance Armstrong was widely praised for its intensity and dedication, some critics argued that the film lacked depth in exploring the psychological aspects of Armstrong's character. The film also sparked discussions about the nature of heroism, deception, and the pressures faced by professional athletes.

See Also

• Doping in sport
• Tour de France
• Biographical film

External Links

• The Program on IMDb
• The Program on Rotten Tomatoes