When the Game Stands Tall

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Coming to theatres this week from director Thomas Carter and TriStar Pictures comes a film based on a true story WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL.

This film tells of the De La Salle High School Spartans football team! Under the guidance of coach Bob Ladouceur (Jim Caviezel) and assistant coach Terry (Michael Chiklis), the team was on a 151-game win. Known as “The Streak”, the school, parents and town came out for every game to cheer on their team.

As the seniors graduate, players move up into varsity led by Chris Ryan (Alexander Ludwig) and best friend Danny (Matthew Daddario), whose father happens to be the coach. Along with Beaser (Joe Massingill), Tayshon (Jessie Usher), Arturo (Matthew Frias), and Manny (Chase Boltin) – the team begins to falls apart. All too soon The Streak comes to a close along with a series of tragedies.

It is now that these young men, led by their coach, discover what they are made of that will follow them the rest of their lives. Learning what it means to be a team these young men take back what is there’s – focus and family.

The lessons become all to clear!

FINAL WORD: Caviezel as Coach Ladouceur is actually the quiet force behind the team. Even when his own life takes a drastic turn, he never forgets what it is he is doing and why. I appreciate his performance as a man who is reminded to do right by all he cares about, including his own family.

Ludwig as Chris is a player who wants to do what’s right without the proverbial monkey on his back placed their by his own father. Keeping the team together is definitely not a one man job. Daddario as Danny is standing with his friend Chris but at home has a few problems that

Chiklis as coach Terry is also a strong person for the boys to lean on. Massingill as Beaser is a gentle giant that I thought was adorable and strong in his conviction. Frias as Arturo and Boltin as Manny stand tall with their learning that even their contribution is important.

Brown as father Mickey Ryan is a man that needs to remember to be a father first and a fan of the game second. Dern as Bev is a little wishy-washy with one moment she’s a supporter of the team and the next being a little whiny about not getting enough attention from hubby.

Other cast include: Gavin Casalegno as Michael, LaJessie Smith as Jamal, Ser’Darius Blain as T.K. Kelly, Clancy Brown as Mickey Ryan, and Laura Dern as Bev Ladouceur.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL three and a half tubs of popcorn out of five. Let me get one thing out of the way – there are lulls in the film that are not thought out enjoy and are a tad stereotypical. With that being said the scenes of play are well done and, in some cases, intense to watch. I actually wish there was more of the teams playing story up on the screen.

I had the honor of seeing the film with 120+ varsity and JV players from Mar Vista High along with coaches, staff and family members last week. Their reaction to the film was one of genuine understanding and appreciation. The football scenes are very well done which brought applause from the players.

At the end of the film are inspirational words from the real Coach Ladouceur filled with faith, respect, unity and most of all his firm belief in love. These basic elements of life proved a major component in these young men’s lives. Watching the Mar Vista players take in every word meant, at least to me, that the film and its lessons were important to each football player in the theatre.

Having these individuals in the theatre made the film more real in every sense. The film is inspiring and that’s what I hope everyone takes away with them after seeing WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL.

In the end – this team is built on family!

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