Personal Best

  • 1982
  • R
  • 124m
movieMx RATING
5.9
51
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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Personal Best Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict

Last updated: April 11, 2026

movieMx Editorial
📅 Updated: April 11, 2026 🎟️ Verified Screening

Movie Overview: Personal Best

MoviePersonal Best
Release Year1982
DirectorRobert Towne
GenreDrama
Runtime124 minutes
LanguageEN

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Personal Best (1982) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast & Character Study

The performances in Personal Best are led by Mariel Hemingway . The supporting cast, including Patrice Donnelly and Scott Glenn , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.

💡 movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?

After analyzing the verified data, our assessment of Personal Best (1982) is mixed. It has its moments but fails to leave a lasting impression. With a platform rating of 5.9/10, it currently stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our database.

What Works in the Movie

While Personal Best does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Drama films.

  • Interesting concept or premise
  • Some entertaining scenes
  • Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights

What Doesn't Work

Despite its strengths, Personal Best has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.

  • Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
  • Some predictable plot developments
  • May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase

Story & Plot Summary: Personal Best

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1982, Personal Best is a Drama film directed by Robert Towne. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Mariel Hemingway.

Ending Explained: Personal Best

Personal Best Ending Explained: Directed by Robert Towne, Personal Best attempts to bring together the film’s narrative threads. The ending highlights the core drama themes developed throughout the film.

The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving Mariel Hemingway. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.

Key Elements of the Ending

  • Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
  • Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
  • Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the drama themes introduced earlier in the film.

The final moments of Personal Best reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.

Who Should Watch Personal Best?

Consider Watching If:

  • You're a completist for Drama films
  • You're curious despite mixed reviews
  • You have low expectations and want casual entertainment

Box Office Collection: Personal Best

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $16.0M
Worldwide Gross $5.7M
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT

Personal Best Budget

The estimated production budget for Personal Best is $16.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: Personal Best

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Where to Watch Personal Best Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

🏷️ Buy on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

Personal Best Parents Guide & Age Rating

1982 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Personal Best age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

Personal Best is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Personal Best is 124 minutes (2h 4m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.9/10, and global performance metrics, Personal Best is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1982 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for Personal Best. Rating: 5.9/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Personal Best worth watching?

Personal Best is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 5.9/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Personal Best parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Personal Best identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of Personal Best?

The total duration of Personal Best is 124 minutes, which is approximately 2h 4m long.

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How Personal Best Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for Personal Best

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 5.9
Personal Best
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