The Winning Season (2009)

Let's be realistic.

Great Film overall

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Enjoyed the movie it was entertaining, and thoughtful

The plot of this movie is nothing new. The redemtion of a loser coach and his troubled life he has. In does however play to a comedic tone for the entire movie, sort of making fun of a genre that takes itself so seriously.It is unique in having so many different plot/teen/strife/issues; It feels like they throw the entire arsenal at you. You think to yourself, do they even have time to Fix all of these conflicts; But, Like any great commerical they don't show you everything. They do however enough to get the point across.The comedy was light and fresh, swearing added to the mocking tone of sports struggle movies. The redemtion is on both sides of the isle as the coach and his team learns something. If your in a basketball mode or just an avid sports fan, i'd recommend -

The Winning Season IS an enjoyable film because of some fine acting and its' feel-good tone, but I feel a bit uneasy about how the film handled some of the tough subject matter.Sam Rockwell plays a once successful High School basketball coach who gets an offer from an old friend(now principal) to take a coaching job. When he finds out it's coaching girls varsity he is hesitant, but figures that it's better than bus-ing tables at the local five and dime.Sam's interaction with the girls and the teams' progress is the strongest characteristic of this film. It isn't until the film dives headfirst into some pretty tough subject matter that it gets a bit derailed. Sam struggles with alcohol, and while the film approaches this subplot with good intentions - in the end it makes the viewer feel a bit uncomfortable about the whole situation. In 'Hoosiers' Dennis Hopper played a similar role - only his role was as an assistant, and he ended up listening to the final game from a hospital bed(a far more realistic fate). Here, Sam is just as bad of an alcoholic, but he interacts with the girls while drinking(on many occasions), and the film somehow tries to spin the whole thing into a positive(which quite honestly - does not work) The same goes for a sexual orientation subplot that never gains much steam anyway. The film has good intentions here as well, but doesn't ever really develop this subplot. It left me wondering why they even brought it up. Unfortunately, we don't get much closure on the lesbian/alcoholism themes. The filmmakers here could have left out the sexual orientation stuff(I'm only saying that if you're going to include it - conclude it!).Thankfully, the girls and Sam Rockwell are great in this movie. The moral is 'winning isn't everything'. I enjoyed the movie, but feel like it could have been even better. Marginally recommended, but don't be fooled as this film is definitely for the 13+ age bracket.You'll like this if you liked: WHip It, Hoosiers, Wildcats, or Glory Road.54/100Late EDIT - Of Course some will respond negatively just because I didn't like the way the film tackled the tough subject matter. It doesn't make me homophobic or insensitive.

Just got back from seeing the premiere of The Winning Season at Sundance 09' and couldn't be more thrilled to report back that we have a winner.The basic elements of the story are familiar; down in out coach finds a second chance with a bunch of scrubs and you know the rest. The Winning Season isn't groundbreakingly different from its ancestors, but just enough in all the right places to make this "dramedy" a very rewarding viewing. Audiences familiar with typical indie fare, will find that The Winning Season is indeed cut from an indie mold. The Winning Season does not gloss over the coach's failures, his abusiveness or the realities of the steep obstacles he faces. This is a good thing though, because being able to see the dark nature of the human condition makes the successes all that much more enjoyable. The strength of the The Winning Season is in its balances and ultimately the director/writers decision to allow humor and healing to be the driving force as the movie plays out. Far too often indie films allow their depressive themes to run rampant in what appears to be an effort to increase anti-depressant sales. There a lot of folks who think of any movie labeled as a "dramedy" to be fluff or mainstream box office disguising itself as an indie movie, but I would beg to differ. There is always room for reality and laughter to co-exist in a uniquely indie vision, and in the end movies should be allowed to make the viewer feel rewarded. The Winning Season aims to do that, and it's pretty much hit that mark.On to the cast, Sam Rockwell (always underrated) is right on the money with his performance that never waivers from the lead characters self destructive nature as well as delivering such wonderfully dry humor that you keep thinking to yourself why isn't this guy getting more credit for being such a great actor. The young women in the film who make up the team are terrific and give such a sweetness to each of their roles, Emma Roberts in particular is fantastically clever in her role. Also, what a bonus to have Rob Coddry of Daily Show fame, as the goofy principle he just adds the right comedic touches to the scenes between he and Rockwell. Finally James Strouse, coming off two other well received Sundance films, ups his game here and brings a very strong effort. He should have very little problem getting more gigs with this type of quality output.