The reactions of people who attended the Marion premier of Madison Friday evening at the Kerasotes Theatres' ShowPlace 12, 713 N. Theatre Road, would make Marion resident and cast member Mark Fauser proud.

"It was a very good movie. It was wonderful," said William James, Marion.

"I enjoyed the whole film, the whole thing was very good," said Nancy Harris, Marion. "I thought it looked like a really good movie, and it was a really good movie."

At a press conference last weekend during events surrounding the film's premiere in the southeastern Indiana town of Madison, where the film is set, Fauser spoke of his hopes for the movie.

"It took a while, but just like the movie, the underdog has prevailed," he said. "I just hope it does good and America picks it up and it explodes, because they really should back this movie. It really is the American dream."

If the reactions of those in attendance Friday are any indication of the national perception of the film, Fauser's hopes could very well come true.

And, of course, that local connection drew people to the film.

"We knew it was a local person, and wanted to see what it was all about," said James, who attended the movie with his wife, Lori.

"We wanted to support the film on opening night," added Lori James.

"It was so good, so good," said a middle school-age girl.

"It was a genuine feel-good movie," said a father, holding his young daughter's hand.

Tom Schlee, Marion, has always been enthralled by boat racing, and it was that fascination that made him one of about 60 people at the 6:30 showing of Madison on Friday.

"I'm interested in boat racing, and it just fascinates me," said Schlee.

Added his wife, "He can't get his radio-controlled model boat to go that fast."

Madison is based on the true story of the residents of the tiny town of Madison, Ind. It depicts their struggles to save their town as they go on to win the 1971 Gold Cup hydroplane race. The movie, which was filmed in 1999 during a seven-week period in the town for which it is named, spent six years in limbo. It was only after MGM bought the distribution rights to the film - after its star, Jim Caviezel, shot to fame for his portrayal of Jesus Christ in The Passion of the Christ - that it was released.

In the film, Fauser, who was in his hometown of St. Louis attending premiere festivities, plays a mechanic named Travis.

Madison is showing at Kerasotes Theaters' ShowPlace 12, 713 N. Theatre Road, today and Sunday at 1:20 p.m., 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 9:10 p.m.

Staff writer Sean F. Discroll contributed to this report.

Originally published April 23, 2005