Moving Because It's True

Rating: 7/10 (21 January 2008)

"We Are Marshall" is a truly moving and enjoyable film. And as far as the sports movie genre goes, the film is better because it's based on a true story. Think of it as being "Brian's Song" multiplied by the tragic deaths of seventy-five people. You know how sports announcers will say "Boy, if you saw this plot in a movie, you wouldn't believe it!"? A film like "We Are Marshall" is proof. Had this been a completely fictional film, it would rate much, much lower. But reality based it is and that gives it a free pass when it comes to all of the obvious clichés. Clichés with lines like "I know what you have inside. You've shown it to me" when coach Lengyel addresses the team before the first home game, or the standard issue slow motion game scenes that every sports film made over the past 30 years uses to heighten the drama. Mostly, the fact that it's a true story helps how predictable the outcomes of the games will be. You'll know just how much you like this film when you root for the team in spite of the fact you already know how the games will end. I did wonder about the reality of one thing. The portrayal of Coach Lengyel as being so quirky and eccentric. Perhaps it's a dead on depiction, but it got to be almost too much at times. If was a true reflection of the man though, then OK. Overall, a real feel good football movie that is very much worth watching. In fact, while you're at it, rent "We Are Marshall" along with "Brian's Song" and "Rudy". It makes a great trilogy!