A Time for Greatness

Rating: 10/10 (8 February 2004)

"Miracle" is truly an inspiring and uplifting movie. As trite as it may sound, Director Gavin O'Connor and Writer Eric Guggenheim's "Miracle" celebrates the triumph of the human spirit. The storytelling by O'Connor and Guggenheim, along with Kurt Russell's commanding performance eloquently distinguishes greatness distinct from excellence. Excellence is the conversation around talent, training, and pedigree. Greatness starts with heart. Coaching for greatness is the only game whether it is sports or... in life. Given that movies are the profound medium of this generation, a movie like "Miracle" that inspires, and asks people accept or reclaim their own greatness is such a breath of fresh air in the current climate of 'credible'- "Life sucks" motion pictures.
Kurt Russell plays 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Teach Coach, Herb Brooks. In 1979 Brooks became the Olympic Team Coach-- after winning 3 NCAA titles as the coach at the University of Minnesota. He assembles a team of 20 to 22 year-old collegians to take on the Best in the World-- the Russian Olympic Team. I was unaware of this when I was watching the Winter Games in 1980. The Russian Team had won the Gold Medal in '64, '68, '72, and '76. They destroyed the NHL All-Star Team at Madison Square Garden in 1979. They were the World's Greatest Hockey Team. Brooks didn't make the final cut for U.S. Team which last beat the Russians in 1960. What Brooks and his young men accomplished in the Winter Games of 1980 was a miracle. Though as we watch this story unfold as told by O'Connor, what happens is not unthinkable.
We are clued from the beginning what Brooks (Russell) is about, when he selects his team on the basis of one day of try-outs. He tells his assistant Craig Patrick (a solid " good cop" Noah Emmerich), "I'm not looking for the best players... I'm looking for the right players." 20 players make the final team. Like the 1980 Team, two standout: Goalie Jim Craig (a strong internalized Eddie Cahill) and Team Captain Mike Eruzione (a spirited Patrick O'Brien Demsey). Craig (Cahill) is fulfilling the dreams of his late mother, and enduring the financial hardships of his family. He still suffers from his loss, and looks to resurrect the greatness that Brooks sees in him.
Ultimately, this story is about Coach Brooks. This works, because there are way too many characters (as good as the performances are). Kurt Russell's performance is powerful. Patricia Clarkson creates the role of his wife Patty as a focal point, in what could have been an after thought in less capable hands. Her Patty is Herb's rock, and will not take any crap from him when she reminds him of his responsibilities as a husband and father. She is tough, and his inspiration.
What makes Brooks' story so moving and touching is that he is really about having his 20 and 22 year-olds become great men. He tells them, "I am your coach. I am not your friend." He demands from them more than they think they have to give, because his listening for them is much bigger than their own. That is a great coach. There is a stunning scene, after his team ties the Norwegian National Team-- coasting through. He makes the entire team run speed drills after the game until they drop. He reminds them, "Win, lose, or tie. You WILL play like champions!" No team has ever had the endurance to skate all 4 periods with the Russian. Brooks is a demand for his men to do the impossible. It's about heart. Russell has a moving scene with his wife before the medal round match with the Soviets. He tells Patty what he wants is that "20 years from now these guys will look back and know that they left nothing on the table, that they gave it their all." Before the game Brooks makes his team choose greatness or... not. He tells them, if the played the Russians 10 times, the Russians would win 9. "But not today... Today you are a great team." "This is your time..."
"Miracle" is awesome. Kurt Russell gives the performance of his career. His Brooks is an authentic demand for greatness and ruthless compassion. The movie is also a tribute to a great man, the late Herb Brooks. During the closing credits, the actors playing each of 1980 Olympic Team members are acknowledged along with a short summary on what that member is doing today. They all have outstanding lives. So it was not only a Miracle in 1980, but also a life lesson. Brooks has an enduring legacy. "Miracle" is a great movie about the greatness in all of us. Thank you-- Gavin, Eric, Kurt, and crew. You have made a very special movie that moves, touches, and inspires.