Forever Strong (2008)

A rugby player is put up in a juvenile detention center. There he plays for the Highland Rugby team and ultimately plays against his father in the National Championships.

Director:

Ryan Little

Writers:

David Pliler, Dony West (song)

Stars:

Gary Cole, Sean Astin, Sean Faris

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gary Cole	...	Coach Larry Gelwix
Sean Astin	...	Marcus Tate
Neal McDonough	...	Coach Richard Penning
Sean Faris	...	Rick Penning
Julie Warner	...	Natalie Penning
Penn Badgley	...	Lars
Eliot Benjamin	...	Marty
Michael J. Pagan	...	Kurt
Nathan West	...	Quentin
Max Kasch	...	Griggs
Arielle Kebbel	...	Emily
Kepa Kruse	...	Tumo (as John Kepa Kruse)
Junior Salt	...	Peeta
Jeremy Earl	...	Sanchez
Larry Bagby	...	Coach Cal

Storyline

Rick Penning, the 17-year-old star player on his coach/father's rugby team, lands inside the Wasatch County Juvenile Detention Center following his second drunk driving conviction (and where his father leaves him to rot). Mistrust and dislike of the situation makes Rick anything but a model prisoner, but counselors at the center nonetheless hook him up with the Highland Rugby Team, a team renowned for its long string of successive state championships. Its coach, Larry Gelwix, has a surprisingly unexpected philosophy: train boys to be champions in life first, then on the field. Rick doesn't buy into this, which could earn him some time in State Prison if he doesn't turn his life and attitude around by the time he turns 18.

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Plot Keywords:

rugby | coach | father son relationship | drunk driver | montage | 

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Taglines:

The Greatest Victories are Born in the Heart

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic material involving teen drug and alcohol use, and for some disturbing images

Details

Official Sites:

Official Movie Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 September 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Untitled Ryan Little Project

Filming Locations:

Springville, Utah, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$68,283 (USA) (3 October 2008)

Gross:

$630,649 (USA) (31 October 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Go Films, Picture Rock Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Larry Gelwix participated in the film as both a cast member (referee #4), and as the film's Rugby technical advisor, also receiving a "special thanks" credit in the end titles. His daughter, Jenny Gelwix, also participated in the film, as the Rugby wardrobe coordinator.

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Quotes

[In nine months, Rick has steadfastly remained obstinate, frequently incurring punishments for bad behavior and fighting and subsequently scrubbing toilets for it]
Marcus Tate: We both know that you've done all you can to avoid learning anything while you've been here. The upside is we've got the cleanest bathrooms we've ever had.

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Crazy Credits

After the full credits roll, the team can be seen chanting on the field.

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Soundtracks

"Mele Kalikimaka"
Written by Alex Anderson & R. Alex Anderson
Performed by Mugsy
Courtesy of SBI America

User Reviews

How did Hollywood ruin rugby with this movie?

schoepeo commented that "Hollywood ruined rugby". I don't know where or when you played rugby, but 2 of my sons played high school rugby in Arizona for a coach from New Zealand that played at the collegiate level and this movie represented high school rugby at it's best! The Flagstaff team represented the local Arizona Highland High School team that was known for it's illegal tackles and attempts to cheat and play gutter rugby. The Highland team represented my sons' team which played at a high level of integrity and grit. The rugby scenes reminded me of the many games I went to and videotaped for the team. The Hakka reminded me of the joy in my sons' eyes as they participated in it prior to each game. The hits, flips, crushes, etc. reminded me of the many bloody shirts I washed weekly for the team. The coach and his integrity, work ethic, rugby drills (including running with another player on your back - my sons' coach had them run UPHILL), and sense of giving back to the community reminded me of my sons' coach. This movie TRULY represented high school rugby and if it's not what you have experienced, you've missed the best rugby has to offer!