A Movie with Heart

Rating: Null/10 (17 December 2000)

I've seen this film now three times. I am not a football fan, but if any film would ever make into one, this would be it. I've read most of the other comments on "The Replacements" on IMDb, and the prevelant theme is "unoriginal". OK, I agree somewhat- the plot of "losers to winners" has been done before ad nauseum. It's a sports movie, not a documentry, and given it is a comedy, with a "feel good" theme, the plot has to be generic.

So what?
The plot merely exists to allow a series of gags to be set up. They are made that much more hilarious by the absolute charm of all the characters. Keanu Reeves is perfect, and I came away from this film with new respect for the skill with which he brings off his role. Shane Falco is a leader with heart, and to make the audience beleive that, the actor has to have heart too.

When I saw "The Replacements" for the first time in August (in a real theatre), I was struck by two things: first, how it delivers on every level on the same turf that "Any Given Sunday" failed, and second, why this film did not do well at the box office.
Professional sports should not be taken too seriously. It is, after all, a form of paid entertainment. "The Replacements" reminds us that if the players are not having fun, how can the fans? "Any Given Sunday" took itself as seriously as a Viet Nam War film. I wonder why?
I don't know why "The Replacements" failed at the box office. Keanu Reeves still, aparently, does not have the box office clout to carry a film. "The Matrix" succeeded because it was a classic and people recognised that. It was not a star vehicle. "The Replacements" is an ensemble film that, I think, should appeal to a more mature audience. Unfortunately, most film goers in the summer are kids. I suspect that marketing is the major reason why this film did not make the $200 million plus it richly deserved.

It is a very special film indeed that conveys the feeling that the actors had an absolute ball making it. I'd like to say "thank you" to Howard Deutch and his Gridiron Dirty Dozen. What a blast!