Ah, the 70's!

Rating: Null/10 (10 December 2002)

Ah, the 70's! What a weird decade it was. This film brings back a lot of memories;from the god-awful clothes to the failing economy in an industrial town, to the loser local sports franchise.
I grew up near an industrial town in the 70's and early 80's and this film brings back the memories of that time and place: the depression and despondence brought on by the economy and the fact that your only sports team sucks!
I'm not much of a hockey fan, but I love the games in this film. The progression from a hapless team to carnival freaks is great fun. Who doesn't love the Hanson brothers? From the silly announcer to the crazed general manager to the team of losers, half-wits and just plain weirdos; this film adds new meaning to the term "cast of characters"!
Looking back on this film, you wonder how it happened. Paul Newman in a hockey comedy? Ralphie's mom (Melinda Dillon) topless? The sheriff of "Twin Peaks"? That "failure to communicate" guy? That was what made some of the films of the 70's great. They weren't the predictable fare we see today. Big stars weren't above making character movies or just having some plain old, goofy fun. What other decade gave you Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now and Superman?
This film is still a lot of fun, and if it seems dated, it's only because you didn't live through that time. And given the current economic climate and fashion, it still looks pretty timely.