Madison (2001)

In the sweltering summer of 1971, the once-thriving river port town of Madison, Indiana, nestled on the northern banks of the Ohio River, is in the grip of economic decline. The town's glory days as the busiest port upstream of New Orleans have faded into memory, its residents leaving in search of more promising prospects. Amidst this, ten-year-old Mike McCormick finds solace in his father's tales of the town's rich hydroplane racing heritage. Jim McCormick, Mike's father and a former hydroplane pilot, clings to his HVAC job, aware that the town's dwindling economy threatens his livelihood. His real passion, however, lies within the heart of their community - the Miss Madison, a twelve-year-old competitive hydroplane owned solely by the town, a unique distinction in a world of corporate-owned vessels. Jim’s life took a harsh turn in 1961 when a tragic racing accident ended his friend's life and his own piloting career. Yet, he finds himself drawn back into the racing world, stepping up to lead the team as his former teammates depart the struggling town. The town's obsession with hydroplaning and the Miss Madison becomes a source of tension for Mike's mother, Bonnie McCormick, who yearns for a more stable life away from Madison. Mike, although deeply in love with his father's world of racing, grapples with feelings of inferiority, the town's less-than-stellar reputation, and the taunts of other children about his father's racing fears. In a twist of fate, Madison is chosen to host the prestigious Gold Cup Championship race. However, the honor comes with a hefty price tag of $50,000, a sum that the struggling town can scarcely afford. Despite the odds, Jim becomes determined to whip the aging Miss Madison into racing shape, battling against time, limited funds, and technological disadvantages. As the summer heat intensifies, so does the pressure to prove that Madison is more than just an unsophisticated backwater. It's a test of will, resilience, and community spirit as Jim and Madison must decide whether to step back into the race, not just for glory, but to reclaim their pride and provide a better future for their families. This pivotal summer will reveal the true mettle of Jim, Mike, and the town of Madison, forever altering their lives and the legacy of Miss Madison.

Madison is an action movie featuring Jim Caviezel and directed by William Bindley.

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