"I've got nobody". "You've got me and 60 brothers".
Based on a true story, Bob Ladouceur is a high school football coach having the time of his life. His football team has won game after game, championship after championship. He has the biggest winning streak in sports history, 151 games. Following another winning season, Ladouceur suffers a heart attack, and misses Spring training for the next year. Then a former player who graduates is tragically murdered. Then, at the tail end of it all, the team loses their streak on the first game of the next season. What is there to do?
The movie's clear lesson on valuing family and friendship over fame and fortune is a nice one. Also, Christian faith and the importance of unconditional love are shown here in a positive light. The acting is good across the board, with Jim Caviezel doing a solid job as Coach Ladouceur (to my grandmother, he's easy on the eyes haha). Other good actors include Laura Dern as Mrs. Ladouceur, Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs) as a somewhat abusive fan/father of a player, and Alexander Ludwig (Race to Witch Mountain) as a player trying to break a record.
The cinematography carries a somewhat gritty and sophisticated style, similar to that of Glory Road. The scene in the VA hospital was the most moving of the entire film, with solid emotion and even a bit of needed humor. The real story video of Laudoceur and his team was nice to see at the end. The music score by John Paesano works very well in the moments its heard.
On the downside, the story, while decently-written with a fine running time, doesn't carry enough originality to separate the film from countless other sports dramas. What I felt I saw here was more of a combination of Glory Road and Facing the Giants, only without the racial segregation and more overt Christian messages.
When the Game Stands Tall appealed to me when I heard about it. It seemed like a sports drama that would carry a different vibe, considering what is portraying. What happens if a high school loses the biggest win streak in history? How would you rebound from that?
And the movie does a nice job of portraying how the team and the coach rebound from this difficult time. It makes a great example of Matthew 23:12, "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted". And while that verse isn't shown to a strong extent, as When the Game Stands Tall, like Soul Surfer and Secretariat before it, isn't an overtly Christian movie. But the film's focus on getting priorities straight in life is still commendable. The acting and cinematography also work well.
That being said, despite these strong points, I have to say, considering other sports dramas I've seen, this one stumbles a bit more than Million Dollar Arm did earlier this year. And that's due to the originality problem. Million Dollar Arm had a more original plot, with a more original (foreign) focus. On the other hand, Game retreads familiar territory, and despite the strong message, never quite comes across original enough.
That is somewhat disappointing for a movie like this. But, for all its merits, When the Game Stands Tall still manages to be worth watching and fairly compelling.
Score: 7.3/10
Content Problems Families Should Be Aware Of
Language: One use each of "d---" and a (hard-to-hear) "what the h---?". "Oh my g--" is used in heated moments two or three times. Someone says "you guys can kiss my..." and stops short of finishing the phrase.
Adult Content: A brief conversation at a restaurant involves some innuendo. A player says to another, "tell me you ain't jumping all over that". He responds by saying "we're waiting. We took a purity pledge".
Violence: An unfortunate student is gunned down and shot (off-screen). Some crashing on the football field.
Alcohol/Drugs: Ladouceur is seen briefly smoking. One scene shows players drinking.
Other: A scene at a VA hospital may sadden some. One player accidentally gets hit by a bag of a VA hospital occupant's urine.
