Parents' Guide to

The Program

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Flat Lance Armstrong biopic has drugs, strong language.

Movie R 2016 103 minutes
The Program Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 18+

Based on 1 parent review

Rakan A.
Rakan A. Adult
March 9, 2017
age 18+
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Once a frustrated, middle-of-the-pack bicycle racer, Lance Armstrong (Ben Foster) decides the only way to get ahead is to start taking performance-enhancing drugs. That's when he starts THE PROGRAM, a sophisticated doping plan that involves his entire team and vaults him to the top of his sport. But his swift, dramatic improvement catches the eye of journalist David Walsh (Chris O'Dowd), who sets out to expose Armstrong.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

The Lance Armstrong story is one of epic betrayal and disappointment -- great fodder for a searing biopic, you'd think; but The Program feels surprisingly inert, despite its stellar lead actor. The film treats all of the story's highs and lows as if there are no peaks and valleys, only a straight line, robbing it of suspense and emotion. Some of this could be attributed to the fact that so many of us already know what happened to Armstrong, but plenty other public figures have seen their lives unfurl onscreen to dramatic success.

Foster is the highlight of the film and the main reason to see it. But even he can't overcome the movie's inability to crack Armstrong's surface. In the end, we still don't understand why he did what he did, even if we get plenty of details on how. And that's a huge disappointment.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about cheating in sports. Why does Armstrong feel compelled to take performance-enhancing drugs? Do you think his behavior is unusual? If doping is common in high-level athletics, what does that say about sports -- and our expectations for athletes?

  • Do you see a difference in the way the media tends to portray drugs like the ones Armstrong used and substances like alcohol, narcotics, and smoking? How are the consequences similar and different?

  • Do you think The Program is accurate and fair in its portrayal of Armstrong? Why might filmmakers not adhere strictly to the facts in movies based on real life? How could you find out more about the actual events and people portrayed in the film?

Movie Details

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