by Robert Bouffard, Editor
There are a lot of problems with Champions. At times, Woody Harrelson’s line readings are downright bad; the editing, both within scenes and between them, is inconsistent at best, and distractingly disorienting at worst; and some subplots just take all the air out of the film’s momentum. But at the same time, there is so much inherent charm and innocence to the story that it’s difficult not to fall in love with it or its characters.
Marcus (Harrelson) is a longtime basketball person. He was a talented player, and a very good coach, but his selfishness, cockiness, and hot head has caused him to squander every opportunity he’s had. So after a drunk driving conviction causes him to lose his job as an assistant coach with a non-NBA pro team, he’s sentenced to community service, which for him entails coaching a local Special Olympics basketball team in Des Moines, Iowa.
Until Marcus is first introduced to his new team, the movie really struggles. It almost feels like a less serious version of Ben Affleck’s The Way Back, from a couple of years ago. But the Friends — as Marcus’ new team is called — breathe new life into the movie immediately. They each have distinct, endearing personalities, and it’s hard not to latch onto them immediately. Johnny (Kevin Iannucci) has the most screen time, and deservedly so: His arc about finding friendship and independence is probably the best part about the movie; Benny (James Day Keith) is the big basketball fan of the group, and his own journey towards standing up to his rude, bigoted boss will have you clapping by the end; Darius (Joshua Felder) is probably the most empathetic character, especially once the revelation about why he’s completely against Marcus’ hiring comes; and Cosentino (Madison Tevlin) has the biggest personality of the group, on top of being the only girl. She’s a lot of fun.
The rest of the team each has their own, distinct personality, and they get their moments to shine. Impressively, director Bobby Farrelly is able to deftly balance them all. It makes a story that’s already brimming with optimism and joy fill up with even more life. Even though the editing during the basketball scenes will have you yearning for Harrelson’s real great basketball movie, White Men Can’t Jump, which displays some of the best movie basketball I’ve ever seen as a fan of the sport, you don’t feel as bad pushing your qualms to the side.
Not since The Peanut Butter Falcon have we seen a movie starring those with intellectual disabilities the way Champions does. Hopefully, as with other minority groups, they continue to have their voices heard. Champions is funny, engaging, and heartfelt, and it will fit nicely into the always growing pantheon of sports movies. It’s heightened by featuring a demographic that isn’t taken seriously often enough in mainstream cinema.
Score: 5/10
Champions is currently playing in theaters
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