Heart of Champions

Im a sucker for sportsmovies. I was very interested in this movie since I did rowing when I was younger. But the movie just falls flat.

The dynamic between Alex and his father is interesting and the classic story of a team with potential but teamwork issues, works, but the romance seems to be a irrelevant parallel story with no purpose. The end makes absolutely no sense both in terms of character building and realism.

Really wanted to like this movie, but it fails to deliver.

Casting 5/9. Only worthy mention is ofc the old man directing was the weakest part.. romance is forcefed and has no purpose at all.

All in all, enjoyable considering the drought in the boxoffice.

Sports movies seem to have a formula. Team not performing as it should, new coach comes in who inspires, someone trying to undermine the team, a traumatic event the team must overcome. So it is with this one but somehow it all works for me. Michael Shannon as the coach stands out even though the main focus is not on him, but liked other characters as well and their stories. Certainly deserving of a higher rating than what it has on IMDB.

Who knew rowing could be so dramatic. Throwback 90s era where a college row team is full of young men trying to find their way in life. Thematically solid and promotes team values that are rare today.

I watched this because Michael Shannon is in it. He's a great actor. No question.

The story, downtrodden college team, challenged with mediocrity and tragedy are brought to competitive brilliance by a coach with many demons of his own. Too many other tropes to count.

The story arc, and conclusion, are never in doubt. Oddly, the athletic climax is muted.

The rest of the film is bogged down with CW network level actors and actresses. And, unfortunately those storylines sink to some cringe worthy teen melodrama.

Shannon raises the script to better than acceptable. Unfortunately, the two main younger leads, Melton and Von Ludwig, are not capable of elevating the juvenile dialogue.

Not the best two hours I've spent.