Underrated Sports-Comedy With Good Writing and An Excellent Lead Performance

Rating: 9/10 (7 June 2016)

Hockey is something that is just ingrained in Canadian culture. People from countries like Sweden, Finland, Russia and the Czech Republic get it too. Whether you play it or not, most of us still huddle around the T.V. when the Stanley Cup Playoffs or the Olympics come around. You crack open a couple of beers and watch the action with your friends. This isn't a movie about Canadian hockey but it feels like there is so much love for the sport radiating from it. This movie didn't get a big release but I sought it out anyway and I wasn't disappointed, you can enjoy this movie whether you like hockey or not.
*Minor Spoilers Ahead* After a short introduction to the world of a hockey enforcer through Ross Rhea (Liev Schreiber) we then meet Doug Glatt (Sean William Scott) who is a bouncer at a bar. After seeing him deal with a couple of the bar patrons, a few things come across. He's not terribly bright, he can throw down with the best of them and he's generally a pretty sweet guy. The next day we get a glimpse of Doug's family after they are done at the synagogue. Dr. Glatt (Eugene Levy) is introducing his two sons Richard and Doug to some friends. We learn that Richard is gay and further proof that Doug is dumb. Dr. Glatt concludes the conversation by telling his friends that they're both adopted. Doug then goes to hang out with his friend Pat (Jay Baruchel). Pat has a cable access show called Hot Ice about hockey. The big news is that Ross "The Boss" Rhea took an illegal shot at another player and is looking at a suspension. Doug tells Pat that he wants some purpose in his life and he wants something that he can call his own.
They go to see their hometown minor league hockey team The Assassins play. Doug and Pat are having a good time when one of the visiting players ends up in the penalty box. Pat starts cussing the guy out and he actually hops the glass and tries to attack Pat. He calls him a homophobic remark and Doug takes offence because of his gay brother. The guy punches Doug but Doug kicks the crap out of him. Doug then appears on Pat's show and after the guy who usually riles up Pat calls in, they actually get a call from the coach of the Assassins asking Doug if he wants to try out. He accepts the invitation and shows up the next day in figure skates (they belong to his brother). The other players start to make fun of him and he proceeds to take them out one by one. The coach tells him that he shouldn't beat up his teammates but offers him a spot on the team. When asked what number he wants his friend Pat tells him "take the #69 it's hilarious!"
Before I go on about the hilarious jokes or the well written characters, I want to point out this movie wouldn't work at all if they didn't have the great performance of Sean William Scott leading this film. Sean's big claim to fame is that he's Stifler from American Pie but you really see something else here. He can play a different type character and he infuses Doug with a lot of heart. He's his funny self but in a separate way and this movie wouldn't be successful without him. All the supporting actors are great minus Jay Baruchel who is laying it on a little too thick. He's a good actor, it's just a minor criticism from me. I really liked Liev Schreiber, he's pretty subtle here and he makes Ross a great antagonist to Doug. Alison Pill is also great and she plays a pretty funny character. Sean and Alison have good chemistry together and make what would be a throwaway subplot into something interesting. Marc-Andre Grondin is also good, I can't mention the whole supporting cast but I'd close with how good it was to see Eugene Levy and Kim Coates again, they are both memorable in their small but respective parts.
Moving on to the writing, you not only get more than your fair share of great jokes but you get some pretty well written characters. Ross would be a one-dimensional villain in any other movie but he's more like a future version of Doug. He's not evil, he's more disillusioned and cynical. He's had one job his entire career and he's just about done. He's looking for his shot at glory and Doug might just provide him that opportunity. Eva is a different kind of love interest. She describes herself as a terrible girlfriend and is turned on by the violence of hockey. She matches well with Doug's naive optimism. I also really liked the character of Doug himself. Sure he's dumb as a post but he really believes in using what he can do to help people. He wants to be a hockey player so bad even though everyone else just sees him as a thug in skates. Even if he is an idiot, you can identify with his sense of purpose and it's even inspiring in the movie.
This movie came out awhile ago but I revisit it a few times a year because I think it is that funny and it is that memorable. You get some really funny scenes, a great leading performance, a unique story and overall a memorable sports comedy when there are so few good ones being made today. I recommend it highly.