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When The Game Stands Tall Movie Review

Name: When the Game Stands Tall Movie Review
Item: When the Game Stands Tall
Rating: 4
Author: Lalitha Mallikeswaran

When The Game Stands Tall Movie Review English

Written by

Review for the film " When the Game Stands Tall"

Streaming On: Amazon Prime Video

Runtime: 01 Hour 55 Minutes

Certificate: UA

Released: 22-08-2014

Genre: Drama, Sports

Similar To: Wendy, Tupperware Unsealed, Lying And Stealing, Somewhere Beautiful

Critic Review
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4 / 5.0

3.50 / 5.0

CAST & CREW

Billy Slaughter

Christopher Berry

Judd Lormand

Stephan James

Terence Rosemore

Allan Graf

Cathy Schulman

Laura Dern

MORE CAST & CREW

Producer:

David Zelon

Music Director:

John Paesano

Editor:

Scott Richter

Composer:

Joshua Johnson

Braden Kimball

Director:

Thomas Carter

Supporting Actress:

Laura Dern

Costume Designer:

Claire Breaux

Art Director:

Raymond Pumilia

First Assistant Director:

Mark Anthony Little

Eric Fox Hays

Second Assistant Director:

George Bott

Meghan Burchfield

Nathan Parker

Director of Photography:

Michael Lohmann

Executive Producer:

Cathy Schulman

Line Producer:

Kenneth Burke

Associate Producer:

Nathon S Lewis

Second Unit Director:

Allan Graf

Casting Director:

Victoria Thomas

Novelist:

Neil Hayes

Scott Marshall Smith

Still Photographer:

Tracy Bennett

empty:

Jeffrey J Haboush

Gaffer:

Max Pomerleau

Production Designer:

Jaymes Hinkle

Set Decorator:

Kristin Bicksler

Storyboard Artist:

Paulo DeFreitas Jr

Casting Associate:

Matthew Maisto

Casting Assistant:

Andrew Hadzopoulos

Makeup Artist:

Jack Lazzaro

Melanie Deforrest

Jami Ross

Hair Stylist:

Erin Moreau

Adruitha Lee

Lawnell Bell-Rattler

Special Effects Coordinator:

Justin B Johnson

Stunt Performer:

John Edwards

Daniel Graff

Tre Clark

Ryan Broussard

Ross Bacon

Matt Cipro

London Durham

Keenan Coleman

Grady Gieger

Chaz Black

Benjamin Farmer

Toney Converse

Tyler Donaldson

Troy Giddens

Dylan Bailey

Alfred Carter

Digital Compositor:

Daniel Briney

Compositor:

J Thomas Wilson

Camera Operator:

Steve Denny

Michael Burgess

Set Dresser:

Cydney Tucker

Sound Mixer:

Dan Izen

Assistant Cameraman:

Robert Baird

Lighting Technician:

Pete Lavaty

Production Supervisor:

Gary Huckabay

empty:

Jay DeFelice

Supporting Actor:

Billy Slaughter

Christopher Berry

Judd Lormand

Stephan James

Terence Rosemore

empty:

Kenneth Burke

Click Here For Full Cast & Crew

When the Game Stands Tall is a biographical sports drama directed by Thomas Carter. Scott Marshal Smith has written the script for this film. David Zelon has produced this film. Michael Lohmann is the cinematographer, while Scott Richter is the editor of this film. This film stars Jim Caviezel in the lead. The supporting cast of this film includes Michael Chiklis, Alexander Ludwig, Clancy Brown, Laura Dern Laura Dern is an American actress, director, and p >> Read More... , etc. The film got a theatrical release on 22 August 2014.

Plot

Bob Ladouceur is a former football player, who is appointed as the coach of De La Salle High School. He takes the school to new heights from sheer obscurity, with an impressive streak of 151 wins on a trot. However, infighting and ego tussles threaten to destroy this illustrious legacy.

Star Performances

Thomas Carter has delivered an absolute stunner with this film. He has explored multiple themes in a single film, without diluting the essence of either.

Jim Caviezel as the iconic coach packs a solid punch. The conviction with which he inspires his students to do the unthinkable will remind some of what Denzel Washington Born as Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. on December 2 >> Read More... did in ‘Remember the Titans’

Analysis

Sports dramas are not uncommon in Hollywood. However, very few of them are as ethically solid as ‘When the Game Stands Tall’. Based on the actual experiences of a high school coach, this film is a classic tale of the underdogs winning the game once again.

However, what makes this film different, is that it just doesn’t stop at the victory. The film also presents the journey afterward. It shows how tough it is to maintain the legacy you have established through multiple wins, which the real Bob Ladouceur also had to witness.

This film has some subtle messaging as well, with religious undertones. However, nowhere is it forced, or unnecessary. Friendship, brotherhood, team spirit, etc. are some of the core elements of this film. It is on this front that this film scores big. Yes, the makers take their own time to build the narrative. However, the result is more than satisfactory.

On the acting front, the entire cast has done a fantastic job. Jim Caviezel as Coach Bob is both endearing and goal-oriented. He is vulnerable, he won’t let that ruin his pursuit of excellence. The bunch of teenagers, led by Alexander Ludwig, lend solid support. Even Clancy Brown as the abusive father shines in his limited, but menacing appearance on screen.

What's There?

•   Great direction by Thomas Carter
•   Impressive narrative that is not too preachy
•   Solid performance by Jim Caviezel
•   Outstanding support by the other actors, particularly Alexander Ludwig and Clancy Brown

What's Not There?

• Minor glitches in the pace of the narrative

Verdict

‘When the Game Stands Tall’ is one of the few movies that live up to its name. Based on true events, this film is both intriguing and engaging. This is one sports drama that appeals to almost everybody, irrespective of approach or age. Go and watch this!

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