We pass a film poster noting how the movie is "inspired" by a true story. The opening credits provides a dedication to William Shue ... the brother of two of the supporting cast (one playing the mother, another a supportive teacher/coach*) and three who worked behind the scenes as producers and influenced the story. The ending credits provides a quote from Elizabeth Shue when she was in sixth grade along with pictures and footage of the Shue family, known locally for their soccer skills. But, any connection to real life is a coincidence.
Well, so said the standard disclaimer, that simply doesn't work in historical docudramas, and it made me want to scream "it's based on her life, you idiots!" Actually, the backstory to Gracie is pretty interesting and adds to the viewing experience, though such things really only can affect its dramatic value (and the enjoyment of watching the film) up to a point. In effect, the movie was based on real events ... just not quite as you might think. William Shue did die, but he was in his 20s when it happened, not a teenager. Likewise, Wikipedia [the movie link is useful too] informs us that the Shue paterfamilias, however, had a more elite role in local life, running for office at one point.
Elizabeth Shue did grow up in a soccer crazed family in 1970s New Jersey (Mets fan, if the movie is to be believed), playing the game herself ... her mom wary about it all. But, ironically given the dubious mom in the movie, it was Shue herself who decided to stop playing as a teenager. Like the author of For Better or Worse using her character to do something she wished at times being able to do herself (have a child later in life), the character's courage and success here was a sort of "what might have been." In fact, a somewhat trite "caged bird" metaphor according to the movie's official site is based on a bird the brother cared for.
Thus, real facts are through film alchemy translated in interesting directions. What of the film itself? A good piece of work, even with some sports cliches, and so forth. It is useful to note, especially since a tragedy pushed the lead teenage character through depression, danger, and then determination, that the traditional Greek tragedy had standard tropes as well. Life was deemed "destined" to be, and the only control we had was how we (or the characters) acted out standard themes. Film really rarely is too surprising. It is how the usual themes are carried out that counts.
And, this is a superior piece of work in that department, with the backstory adding some perspective that helps us respect even the more trite moments. Carly Schroeder, who I know from the t.v. show Lizzie McGuire (she played the mischievous friend of Lizzie's younger brother), is simply superb. I referenced recently another young adult/woman sports movie, Ice Princess, which also has a superior lead. This one really runs with her part, including in the actually a bit surprising middle scenes, where we see how she suffers through the death of her beloved older brother. We need more movies that provide realistic dramatic portrayals of teenagers, especially young women. Carly shines here.
The movie also provides a good view of time and place, including nice use of Bruce Springsteen songs. The movie looks good. Likewise, the movie also does a good job handling family dynamics, especially the father/son and father/daughter relationships. Again, such family dynamics can make for good drama, and the film that honors them instead of providing trite expressions deserve our respect. Dermot Mulroney as the working class dad with trouble relating to his daughter, who he still definitely loves, is very good here. Though at times her character seems simplistically drawn, Elizabeth Shue also has her moments as the mom.
I personally can still get riled up by standard movie cliches, but when they are joined with so many things that ring true, they go down ever more easier. A superior "sports" movie that had more than sports going for it. Reviews that suggest it is just standard fare sell it short, even if it has that side as well.
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* In fact, they come off rather blandly on the screen, the strongest characters being the son who died, the father, and the lead ... with a few other supporting characters actually a bit more interesting. The mom's negativity (Elizabeth Shue makes her a bit of a downer character), as suggested by the text, is rather ironic when we learn the backstory.