THE GAME OF THEIR LIVES
It's 1950 and the US soccer team is just getting organized. If
some worthy players can be assembled in time, they will be
whisked off to Brazil to play the well-polished English team in
the town of Belo Horizonte. Not the World Cup match, but an
international lead-up to the big games. But where in the US can
be found a group of players who can hold their own against
such worthy adversaries, and not embarrass the nation? The
Hill, an Italian immigrant neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri,
proves to be fertile ground for producing some rough, tough
American “football” players. Problem is, the guys are just
home from the War and have families and jobs to consider.
How can they just take time out from their lives for a game?
Well, when it's the “game of your life,” you make the time.
Directed by David Anspaugh, this film is an endearing glance at
the type of young Americans that played when spots were still
fun, not big business. None of the players expected to sign
lucrative endorsement contracts for everything from shoes to
cereal. They just gave their all and enjoyed the thrill of the
game. Nostalgic? Yes. A feel-good film? Yes.
A short list of the cast includes Gerard Butler, Wes Bentley, Jay
Rodan. Gavin Rossdale and Patrick Stewart. All give worthy,
believable performances as members of the US soccer team
that came from nowhere to beat the English in 1950, and then
quietly return to their lives.
some worthy players can be assembled in time, they will be
whisked off to Brazil to play the well-polished English team in
the town of Belo Horizonte. Not the World Cup match, but an
international lead-up to the big games. But where in the US can
be found a group of players who can hold their own against
such worthy adversaries, and not embarrass the nation? The
Hill, an Italian immigrant neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri,
proves to be fertile ground for producing some rough, tough
American “football” players. Problem is, the guys are just
home from the War and have families and jobs to consider.
How can they just take time out from their lives for a game?
Well, when it's the “game of your life,” you make the time.
Directed by David Anspaugh, this film is an endearing glance at
the type of young Americans that played when spots were still
fun, not big business. None of the players expected to sign
lucrative endorsement contracts for everything from shoes to
cereal. They just gave their all and enjoyed the thrill of the
game. Nostalgic? Yes. A feel-good film? Yes.
A short list of the cast includes Gerard Butler, Wes Bentley, Jay
Rodan. Gavin Rossdale and Patrick Stewart. All give worthy,
believable performances as members of the US soccer team
that came from nowhere to beat the English in 1950, and then
quietly return to their lives.
Mary
Brenda
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY Publishers: Brenda S. Ladd & Mary K. Morgan |
Movie Details
Official Movie Website
Theatrical Release
2005
Home Video
Not Available
MPAA Rating
Rated PG for some mild
language and thematic
elements
Genre
Drama, Sports
Running Time
1 hour 35 minutes
Directed by
David Anspaugh
Cast
Wes Bentley, Gerard Butler,
John Rhys-Davies, Patrick
Stewart
Studio
IFC Films
Theatrical Release
2005
Home Video
Not Available
MPAA Rating
Rated PG for some mild
language and thematic
elements
Genre
Drama, Sports
Running Time
1 hour 35 minutes
Directed by
David Anspaugh
Cast
Wes Bentley, Gerard Butler,
John Rhys-Davies, Patrick
Stewart
Studio
IFC Films
