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Jump (1990)
written by Teresa Klakamp
Jump is a documentary about Kurt Browning which was made in 1990 then sold on
videotape. The program opens with a song called "Jump" as Kurt is shown
skating, and more often, doing various jumps. Most of this segment is from
various competitve and show programs Kurt had done, but it does include some
new footage which was shot just for Jump.
Jump consists mainly of Kurt talking about himself and his career as well as
Kurt's family, coach, and friends talking. This is interspersed with
several clips of Kurt skating, including five programs shown in their
entirety. They are as follows:
Kurt skating outside to a song called "The Kid from Caroline."
Kurt's "First Quad" program
Kurt's short and long programs at the 1989 Worlds in Paris
Kurt's entire short program from 1990 Worlds (the majority of his long
program is also shown)
The reason that I enjoyed Jump so much is that it is a wonderful insight into
both Kurt's off-ice personality as well as a great chronicle of his amateur
career through 1990. Kurt talks about his rise through the amateur ranks
including a really cute story of when he placed third in novice in Central
Alberta and how proud he was of this accomplishment. He talks about the
changes in his life when he became World Champion for the first time and also
about the difficulties he had in his first season after winning his first
World title. Kurt talks about how he thought he wanted people to believe in
him, but that he realized later that he really needed to believe in himself.
I could fill several screens telling all of the stories that I like from
Jump, but that would take up much more room than a review should fill. So, I
will stick with one of my very favorite Kurt stories ever which just happens
to be from Jump.
I think that this story is a great illustration of why Kurt is the way he is
today. Kurt tells the story of a time when he was younger and he was in the
supermarket with his mom. A friend of his mom's came over to talk to them
and asked Kurt how his skating was going. Kurt descripes his reaction as a
"typical snot-nosed kid reaction." Afterwards, Kurt's mom apparently was
upset with him so she told him that people were genuinely interested in his
skating and that he should always remember that when talking to people. Kurt
says on Jump that he tries to always carry this philosophy with him. Based
on all of the stories that I have heard from people who have met Kurt, that
is exactly what he does.
Jump ends with the same song that played at the beginning and the same sort
of clips of Kurt skating and jumping. If you love Kurt Browning and you want
to know more about Kurt and his career, then you will definitely enjoy this
tape.
Teresa K.
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