Even in small comedies, I believe the screenwriter has to be a little respectful to his audience. I think the average person on the street will extend disbelief in a movie if you present it in an acceptable manner. No one complained that in 'While You Were Sleeping' that the entire plot in completely dependant on everyone experiencing the same misunderstandings. Or did they?
So, in that same way, Whoopi should get to do a stupid movie that no one will believe a word of. She has an Oscar and some box office clout, why not take them out for a spin?
She plays Edwina, a loudmouth Knicks fan who is cursed with lousy seats, a really bad team and a boss who does not understand her obsession. Since the team has a new owner (Langella) who conveniently does not get along with the coach (Dennis Farina), changes are in store. The owner is more suited to the WWF, as he speaks to the crowd before the game from the court, on a HORSE, and during his pyro show he accidentally destroys the retired jersey of Walt Frazier...I told you it was illogical.
So he's tacky and has no regard for team tradition. Its not a long stretch for him to arrange things to get Edwina (known as Eddie) to coach the team for half a game in the name of promotion. When the current coach protests, he gets fired.
So Eddie gets to be the coach full time, and takes a loser team and makes them a winner..I told you it was predictable. What's worse is that Eddie was extremely knowledgable in the problems of the team before she took over, but once the coaching job is given to her she is mysteriously clueless.
But in addition to believing that a fan would take on the head coach job, you are also asked to believe that the owner will move the team to St. Louis, IF THEY WIN..this put Eddie in an awkward situation, no?
Unless you never saw another movie in your life, you can predict the outcome.
But as a sports fan, who's suffered at times like all sports fans suffer in the name of love for your team, I can't help but enjoy it on at least a couple of levels. 5/10.
