d-j-dekok Review of When the Game Stands Tall

When the Game Stands Tall (2014)

Could have been worse but I can't see how.

[3/10 · 2 September 2014]

Rife with clichés, leaden dialogue, and obvious greenscreen technology during the football games, "When the Game Stands Tall" was one of the most cringeworthy movies I've ever seen. The family wanted to go, so I did, but every time I hear the phrase "based on a true story", I think "direct to Lifetime channel" and my expectations drop about 20 points. The directors seem to think it's necessary to remind us that a scene is in a black neighborhood by making the hip hop soundtrack REALLY LOUD. Hamfisted doesn't begin to describe this turkey. I will say that the production team did a decent job recreating the real-life video of the funeral (translation: we have no imagination and we think you won't notice), and the games were interesting.

Here in Pennsylvania, there are high schools that field spectacular teams year after year--many by recruiting to a private school, some not so much. This was the California version of one of those schools. The school in the movie happened to be Catholic, a fact that was almost completely ignored, except for a couple scenes where the coach is also teaching religion class (or what passes for it).

The stereotypes are all there: The grandparents caring for their grandson, the rabid fan dad who lives vicariously through his son's accomplishments, even the cameo appearance by a real live football star.

This game didn't stand tall. Sorry pals and gals, don't waste your money.