More than a game… it’s the human drama.

Good day folks! Was able to catch a few films that I thought were worth talking about on this fine Friday. Opening in theaters today is the dramatic sports film, When the Game Stands tall. Starring Jim Caviezel, Alexander Ludwig, Michael Chiklis.

This film is inspired by the true story of the De La Salle Spartans, a high school football team in Concord, California who endured a series of loses (on and off the field) that forever changed their history. Through the coaching of Bob Ladocuer (Played by Jim Caviezel), the team was able to pull themselves together and regain their positions as champions.

The most valuable lessons you learn in life are when bad things happen to you or when something in your life confronts you.

This movie was simply amazing in the sheer drama of it all. The story centers around a few characters as some of the seniors transition out of the team and on to college and the juniors take their place as leaders. This changing of the guard becomes an interesting process when you are dealing with the development of young men as they are not only making that transition into leadership positions on the team, but also becoming adults themselves.

It’s an inspiring story that allows you to see the effects of hubris in full swing. As the team falls from grace, the humbling experience is used by Ladocuer to teach the young team that what they are doing is more than just playing football. Changing their focus from self to the welfare of the team as a family. There are points in the film where Ladocuer has to remind the players that it’s just a game and what they are doing is not just for the sake of the game but for the benefit of the unit.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to enjoy a sports drama, and this is an inspirational story that teaches the idea of real strength coming from the bonds you make and maintain. A story of growth and understanding that would benefit a lot to hear in light of the events that are taking place on a regular basis. Strength of character, emotional discipline through opening up, integrity, and perseverance are all topics of discussion that this movie provides.

Stars of note in this film would definitely be Alexander Ludwig and Clancy Brown. Their portrayals of Chris and Mickey Ryan, respectively, tell a familiar story in sports films. That of the obsessed father who can’t get passed his glory days and the game and the son striving to break away from that mentality and move on to more. The friction that this pairing made was interesting to see take place as the story developed, and was a job well done by both actors.

Jessie Usher as Tayshon Lanear was also another character that provided an interesting story through a great performance. Watching his transformation from a jaded cynic concerned only with his success in the game provided a look at what sports do for a lot of players when their looking at it from a viewpoint of self.

I could go on to discuss the Ladocuer family themselves and how the Coach had his own problems that contrasted the work he did with his players, but I’m encouraging you to go see this film for yourself. Intriguing, inspirational, and overall powerful, this movie is one that I would encourage all to see.

So, from the Big Boss, you get a thumbs up.