It's easier to believe the lie | That Championship Season

That Championship Season | That Championship Season | Bruce Dern, Stacy Keach

DVDs:


	• That Championship Season Bruce Dern, Stacy Keach MGM (Video & DVD), 2004 average customer review:based on 5 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

winning play

It's not often a playwright gets to direct the film of his own play so Jason Miller's production of the Pultizer Prize winner, which took 10 years to reach the screen, brings great expectations. Miller seems to have opted to concentrate on the performances of his 5 principle players, as opposed to trying for any visual style, which is appropriate for this kind of ensemble Eugene O"Neill-ish drama. The stage origins of the material are still in evidence, by having the actors constantly moving from room to room but this hardly matters when the actors engender such good will. The set-up is the reunion of the 1957 high school state basketball champions of Scranton, Pennsylvania, at a time when Bruce Dern's Mayor is up for re-election. Thankfully the life as sport metaphor isn't pushed too much, and the coach that the four men all worship isn't revealed to be a phony. You may wonder why these grown men still seek the juvenile approval of a schoolboy teacher, but the reason is in the way he understands them, knows how to sooth their anguish, and still inspire them. He is a father who is both wise and loving. The deep-voiced Robert Mitchum brings both his strong masculinity and a delcate emapthy to the character. His coach doesn't need to swear or raise his voice. Just the laying on hands is enough, though his rejection of one of the men as a ploy strikes a false note, perhaps since this is the only time we see Mitchum reduced to phyisical violence. Perhaps I was also put off from this moment since the rejection follows the Edward Albee-ish mention of the player who has refused to reunite. The play's narrative doesn't cover any new ground but it does allow actors like Dern, Stacy Keach, and in particular Paul Sorvino and Martin Sheen to have richer and longer screen exposure. Sorvino is a revelation, perhaps explaining why he instigated a remake, and Sheen very funny, especially when he laughs. Of note is the quiet side to Bill Conti's score.

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It's easier to believe the lie

The place is Scranton, PA, and four members and their coach of the 1957 state basketball champs are holding their 24th reunion. These men have held on to that moment of glory as if it were their life preserver, as indeed it is - for their lives now are filled with broken dreams and disillusionment. One (Bruce Dern) is running for re-election as mayor, though he's lost touch with the people; another (Martin Sheen) is an alcoholic; another a lecher; still another a weasily follower. The coach (Robert Mitchum) still thinks these guys are a great team. But for one evening the illusions are stripped away and they are left facing the truth. But, incredibly, they all go back to believing the old hooey about themselves, and that's what makes this movie (based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Jason Miller) so depressing: they are sinners who are almost redeemed by the truth and then reject it and decide to sin some more. There is a stagey feel about the movie that can't be helped, but it's an intelligent and well done production anyway. Definitely worth a watch.

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That Championship Season

One of the most overlooked movies made in the last 50 years. Acting, script, and direction are all superb.

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winning play

It's not often a playwright gets to direct the film of his own play so Jason Miller's production of the Pultizer Prize winner, which took 10 years to reach the screen, brings great expectations. Miller seems to have opted to concentrate on the performances of his 5 principle players, as opposed to trying for any visual style, which is appropriate for this kind of ensemble Eugene O'Neill-ish drama. The stage origins of the material are still in evidence, by having the actors constantly moving from room to room but this hardly matters when the actors engender such good will. The set-up is the reunion of the 1957 high school state basketball champions of Scranton, Pennsylvania, at a time when Bruce Dern's Mayor is up for re-election. Thankfully the life as sport metaphor isn't pushed too much, and the coach that the four men all worship isn't revealed to be a phony. You may wonder why these grown men still seek the juvenile approval of a schoolboy teacher, but the reason is in the way he understands them, knows how to sooth their anguish, and still inspire them. He is a father who is both wise and loving. The deep-voiced Robert Mitchum brings both his strong masculinity and a delicate empathy to the character. His coach doesn't need to swear or raise his voice. Just the laying on hands is enough, though his rejection of one of the men as a ploy strikes a false note, perhaps since this is the only time we see Mitchum reduced to phyisical violence. Perhaps I was also put off from this moment since the rejection follows the Edward Albee-ish mention of the player who has refused to reunite. The play's narrative doesn't cover any new ground but it does allow actors like Dern, Stacy Keach, and in particular Paul Sorvino and Martin Sheen to have richer and longer screen exposure. Sorvino is a revelation, perhaps explaining why he instigated a remake, and Sheen very funny, especially when he laughs. Of note is the quiet side to Bill Conti's score.

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From the acclaimed Broadway play that scored a Pulitzer Prize comes this winning adaptation. Featuring dynamic performances by an excellent cast (The New York Times) including Bruce Dern Stacey Keach Robert Mitchum Martin Sheen and Paul Sorvino That Championship Season is a big hit (Boxoffice)!It s been 25 years since the Scranton High School basketball team won the state championship. And every year four of the victors and their coach (Mitchum) gather to relive the glory of their shining moment. But tonight the reunion is rife with accusations of betrayal backstabbing infidelity and fraud. Can their friendship survive their crimes against each other or will the dirtiest secret of all destroy what remains of their finest hour?System Requirements: Running Time 110 Min Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: R UPC: 027616902436 Manufacturer No: 1006013

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