VICTORIES Don't always come EASILY

Rating: 9/10 (4 March 2011)

Nowadays, even LAWYERS have been affected by the downturn in the economy. Mike Flaherty (PAUL GIAMATTI) is one of those. He lives in a small town, and this period has gotten increasingly tough for him. His office is in a bad state of disrepair.
He very much doesn't want his WIFE Jackie (AMY RYAN) to know the extent of his problems and stresses (such as declining health)  About the only current work he has is representing a client named Leo Poplar (BURT YOUNG) who's starting to suffer from dementia.
The subject comes up of who to arrange as the "GUARDIAN" for Burt & his estate (since Paul's been unable to reach Burt's daughter from whom he's been estranged for 20 or so years). As being Burt's Guardian would provide a monthly income, Paul proposes HIMSELF for that position. But, Paul wants to keep the "source" of the money SECRET from AMY.
One day, when Paul visit's Burt's house, there's a boy sitting in front of it. When Paul asks the kid who he is & why he's there, he's told his name is Kyle Timmons (ALEX SHAFFER) & he's Burt's GRANDSON!
Paul takes Alex to visit Burt, who says he doesn't HAVE any grandson. Alex reveals that he's 16 years old & the son of his daughter back in Ohio who Burt hasn't seen in decades & who's in a hospital, which is why he's come to stay with Burt.
Burt is quite friendly to not-very-talkative Alex, & says he'd prefer being IN his own house where Alex came to stay, but he's not allowed to be there. Without revealing everything to wife Amy, Paul proposes that Alex stay with THEM for a week or so while he tries to reach Burt's daughter.
Paul has trouble TRACKING DOWN Alex's mom Cindy (MELANIE LYNSKEY), & is distressed to learn she's in a DRUG-rehab program with an indefinite "recovery" date.
Amy's not "thrilled" at the idea of caring for someone they barely know. But, since Alex has shown himself to be polite and thoughtful (including in the way he plays with their little girls), she ACCEPTS his continued presence there for the time being.
In some ways, Alex might seem a bit "strange"-- but he's mainly just a "QUIET" teenager, who keeps things to "himself" unless he gets in the "mood" to talk about some certain subjects (such as his own past life).
He's also clearly CONSIDERATE (such as regularly visiting Burt in the Home) & also helpful, wanting to assist Amy in getting groceries-- & even asks to get a favorite cereal that Burt particularly likes.
At one point, Alex asks if he can "watch" as Paul "volunteers" as a coach of the town's high school WRESTLING team, the "Pioneers". The team has a long "history"-- for consistently LOSING their matches, although Paul & his assistant coach Vigman (JEFFREY TAMBOR) do the best they can with the 12 or so kids on the team.
To Alex's asking if he might participate in some of the work-outs, Paul feels that'd be OK-- especially since Alex says yes, he's DONE "some" wrestling in the past. When he works out, Paul sees Alex is VERY GOOD at the sport.
Paul's best friend, Terry Delfino (BOBBY CANNAVALE), needs something to keep him "busy", since he's very upset over his recent divorce. When he watches Alex practice, he also is amazed at how talented he is-- & "looks him up" on the INTERNET, learning that Alex had once been an award-winning athlete back in Ohio.
Bobby becomes "GUNG-HO" in having Alex join the TEAM (after Paul works to get him enrolled in the high school) Alex has an unusually good WORK-ethic, taking it upon himself to do things to help his Training.
Rather than make fun of any of the other under-achieving team members, Alex quietly works to encourage & help THEM in the sport. He becomes a good friend to their least-talented team member, Stemler (DAVID W. THOMPSON) -- a tall, uncoordinated kid who he sincerely likes as a person, partly because of their mutual interest in playing VIDEO games
Thanks to Alex's presence, all the team members start to IMPROVE in their wrestling, to the point that they get along GREAT with each other & start doing really WELL in their meets. Paul & Amy grow increasingly FOND of Alex, & enjoy having him around (even if he never does initiate much in the way of verbal communications most of the time).
Alex & the wrestlers continue to gain an increasing amount of NOTORIETY in the town, especially as the team has a chance of going "ALL THE WAY" championship-wise in the area. Into that unusually "comfortable" mix, a walking "WRENCH" arrives-- in the form of the unexpected appearance of Alex's mom MELANIE (whom Alex has long been on the "OUTS" with). And, we soon learn that she's gotten in contact with a woman lawyer named Shelley (MARGO MARTINDALE).
Will Melanie's arrival turn out to HELP Alex in his wrestling, or hurt him?... Is Melanie in town to try to "GET" something from Burt or Paul?... Will Amy find out about Paul's "SECRETS" from her?... How will things "END-UP" for all the major characters?
This is an UNUSUAL movie-- both in the way Paul has a basically "CONTENTED" family life, & how you have a satisfying sports-related film WITHOUT the usual "PAT" type endings to the various plot lines.
The acting is both "controlled" & CREDIBLE, by the old & "new" actors, the story is a fine one (showing how people can move forward even without moral "perfection" inherent), & it ended with my hoping there'd be a "CONTINUATION" of the story. Thus, I'm rating this enjoyable entertainment at 8.5 out of 10 stars.