Looking at the Rotten Tomatoes page for this movie, I saw this review by Roger Ebert, who thought it nice enough, but boring and predictable.
He isn't really wrong -- it is predictable. I kind of wanted more out of the film. As a whole, though, I thought it was impressive, leaning more toward this review though understanding why some might disagree. But, I do respect him realizing that it still is nice enough and some (especially those who like "G" rated films that are not sickeningly sweet) will enjoy it. I don't think only "younger" viewers (read "kids") will (the only people who call me young these days tend to be senior citizens) be in this class, but since reviewers (including him) selectively recognize that a movie can be decent without being superior, half a cheer. And, heck, looks like I found something to agree with The American Spectator on.
When I originally (briefly) cited this movie, I noted that real life was more complicated. The actress might not lead you to know it (she's is around 40), the coach was in her early twenties at the time. Also, the credits let us know the team continued to win, but curiously, only for a few years. Why? Well, as links in my original post show, Title IX expanded the competition, a little Catholic college not being able to keep up. One link also referenced the "ex-husband" of the coach showed. It would be interesting as well to see how the nun portrayed as the assistant coach turned out -- how much was she like the person portrayed. The film's website provides some "real life" background, sure to also be on the DVD.
Ebert's review suggests the selective take that can be involved, particularly when the person only has limited space. The penultimate paragraph brings up the "supporting actress" star of the film:
The other major character is a young nun, Sister Sunday (Marley Shelton). She confesses to Mother St. John that she's not sure she should be a nun. She's having a crisis of faith. Then she signs on as Cathy's assistant coach, and now she has a mission. Spiritual matters don't seem to enter into this. In fact, this movie has about as little religion in it as it's probably possible for a movie set at a Catholic school. The team doesn't even pray before games. Sister Sunday does walk into chapel and demand, in a clear ringing voice, for a message from God. Apparently the assistant coaching position is God's answer. He moves in mysterious ways.This ignores a nice scene where the two coaches talk in a bar and Shelton's character explains her calling as a nun. "Spiritual" matters are addressed; that is different from "religious" matters as such, which that scene nicely touches on. The school itself is having a type of crisis of faith, the team seen as a way to have faith in the school and yourself, the usual theme in sports films of this type really. This is deep down quite "spiritual." The prayer to God is a bit less as stereotypical than suggested here and the reason why coaching is "God's answer" is that it is a means to connect to the students in an exciting way. Why is this so "mysterious"? And, we don't really see their pre-game rituals much at all, except in one scene. So, how do we know that? As to it not being that religious, sure, it is trying to appeal to a broad audience. But, I'm not sure what more it should have offered. The coach even went to mass, kneeling down and giving the sign of the cross.*
Yes, the film has various stereotypical touches and doesn't break major new ground. The relationship with the husband is barely touched upon really, though it works okay. I liked the nun assistant coach and various scenes (as touched upon in the review I linked) with the girls (young women). I'm generally a sucker for the basic plot, especially if it is done in a somewhat low key way like this small independent film. It reminds me of Believe in Me, another period young women's basketball film in some ways. And, though I can't really say for sure, it overall looks true to life, the actresses in the roles as the players in particular (the AS article has a nice tidbit there). That's not a bad bunch of positives.
Worth a look. Too bad many won't see it, since it has such a limited run. NYC theaters played it for about a week -- I had to go elsewhere to see the damn thing, at overpriced $9.50 prices for the matinee. Sheesh -- no wonder I am seeing so few movies in theaters these days.
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* We can do with some more shows where a religious organization plays a major role that provides more complexity than some that have been in place. I was something of a fan of Seventh Heaven, but the minister was a tad too good to be true. The "reveal" on a show like Touched by an Angel also sort of annoyed me. Real life would be less obvious. There were also a few films and at least one show that portrayed the clergy a bit too human. If done right with some nuance, it would make a good show, various religions providing a chance for women clergy as well.