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Nick name
Pall -
Bio
Spontaneous gal with a passion for everything American Sports. -
Favourite team/sport
UCLA Bruins
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Did you know?
Her fave sports film is “The Mighty Ducks”. And she has a healthy obsession with cooking & eating! -
Programme credit
ESPNews
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2009 in Sports Movies: Race, love, and egos
Ahead of the Academy Awards, I can't help but think of my favorite sports movie of the year. To me, there are only three films related to sports in 2009: Invictus, The Damned United, and The Blind Side.
Invictus
Many claim that Invictus is the best sports film of 2009. But this may just be an American media phenomenon.
It's an incredible story. In reality.
But let's face it. While Morgan Freeman makes a decent Nelson Mandela, Matt Damon can not be François Pienaar. Don'to get me wrong, I love Jason Bourne as much as the next person, but Damon can not portray a physically large Pienaar. It's like Nick Cannon playing Shaquille O'Neal-- it's laughable.
To Americans, like me, the game of rugby looks at it should. But to a discerning eye or those who know the sport, subtle mistakes can really ruin the film. For example, early on the two teams wore the same colored jersey. That, I'm told a rugby, would never happen in the sport. Is it fair for Americans to tell such a tale? Did the American cast and crew manage to make us believe? I think it did a better job of drawing emotion. That's about it.
The truth of the matter is: the story speaks volumes and director Clint Eastwood makes it a beautiful political film. But there's no sports gusto that brings this movie together for me.
The Blind Side
Is it a sports movie? Many may say no, but I really think it is. Yes, the story doesn't directly revolve around football, but I think a part of the film shows what sport-in this case football-can do for a person. For some people, like sports writers and athletes sports are everything. And Michael Oher is just another one of those people. Under fortuitous circumstances and with human compassion, he was able to hone his passion for sports.
It's also the story of an underdog. And don't you always love an underdog? Against the odds Oher forged a path to get something accomplished-to make something of himself with the help of others focused on that same goal. Very similar to a team dynamic. He found his calling and a family along the way. Tear-jerking until the last violin note.
The Damned United
My pick for best sports film is The Damned United. Of course, most Americans won't promote this movie! It has no relevance to fighting racism, American sports, or even American movie stars. It's the story about a football team unknown to most outside of the football world: Leeds United and their 44-day coach Brian Clough.
This movie shows sports and passion for it in the rawest form: the desire to win. There are no self-sacrifice or world-changing moments. It's one man's dream to compete and outdo another - not as a player, but as a manager.
It's the reality of sports, sportsmanship, and competition. It's all egos, competition, failure, and ambition- the very essence of sports. If you haven't seen it yet, watch it.
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