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Even the best football movies struggle to capture the sport's drama on film. The worst (and there are many) are truly abysmal

Why has cinema found football to be such a tricky customer? Football scenes in film and television are traditionally very awkward affairs, with the "defenders" tip-toeing nervously around the "attackers" as they advance, the goal finally coming via the sort of impractical flying volley you just never see on a real pitch. It's clearly very difficult to let someone score a script-dictated goal while pretending to try to stop them but, at the same time, trying not to look like you're pretending to try to stop them. Perhaps they teach it at Rada, who knows?

Furthermore, filmmakers have the challenge of adding a fictional big-screen gloss to what is already an overwhelmingly camera-friendly and consistently dramatic spectacle in its own right. Real-life football already has its own "script...

"A Shot at Glory" is a straightforward sports movie that treats its audience to ample amounts of soccer action while keeping its characters and narration as simple as possible. Filming in several stadiums with as many as 10 cameras rolling at once, the film captures the excitement this sport generates among its fans. A pet project for producer-star Robert Duvall, who recruited Denis O'Neill to pen the script, "Glory" is directed by Michael Corrente with an eye to establishing a Scottish blue-collar environment and the passion many of its citizens feel for soccer.

Made more than two years ago and languishing on the shelf since its debut at the 2000 Toronto International Film Festival, "Glory" is now getting a shot at theatrical glory beginning with a limited release in six Southwestern cities from newly formed MAC Releasing. The film should attract sports fans as well as fans of Duvall. Overseas, where soccer fanaticism is rampant, the film is an even surer bet. (The film has already played in the United Kingdom, where it did well.) Nor does it hurt that Scottish soccer great Ally McCoist makes a lively acting debut with the movie.

Duvall plays Gordon McLeod, the manager of a Second Division team in a tiny seaside town in Scotland that hasn't won a championship in 100 years. With such a limited fan base, the team's American owner, Peter Cameron (Michael Keaton), is eyeing a move to Dublin, Ireland, to add value to his investment.

Meanwhile, Peter hires a former First Division superstar, striker Jackie McQuillan (McCoist), willfully ignoring the fact that booze and womanizing have brought down not only Jackie's career but also his marriage to Gordon's daughter, Kate (Kirsty Mitchell). Earning more money than the rest of the team combined and still beholden to his errant ways, Jackie nevertheless inspires a winning streak that carries the lightly regarded team into the Scottish Cup finals. The proposition then becomes simple: If the team beats the Glasgow Rangers -- against almost impossible odds -- Peter will allow it to remain in its hometown.

There are only two real conflicts in the movie: between Gordon and his spoiled son-in-law and then between Gordon and his own daughter, whom he has never forgiven for marrying Jackie. There is a nominal villain in Brian Cox's Martin Smith, the Rangers' manager and a onetime mate of Gordon who long ago betrayed him. But Martin pops up too late in the movie to generate any sparks.

Mostly, the movie exists for its soccer action and its fine acting. Duvall's Gordon is a man who treasures his betrayals. He nurtures wounds with righteous pride and wears disdain for those who inflict them as if it were the finest silk. In his first role ever, McCoist displays such a friendly, amiable manner he could easily continue in acting if he so desired. Mitchell and Morag Hood ably play the two long-suffering women of Gordon's life -- his daughter and wife. Oda Schuster is most amusing as the team's aging locker room assistant, who seemingly performs all chores that do not involve kicking a ball.

Alex Thomson's cinematography is first-rate, and Mark Knopfler (of Dire Straits) provides the Scottish-accented music, which nicely punctuates the action and occasional moments of drama.

A SHOT AT GLORY

MAC Releasing

Revere Pictures presents a Butchers Run film

Credits:

Director: Michael Corrente

Screenwriter: Denis O'Neill

Producers: Robert Duvall, Rob Carliner, Michael Corrente

Executive producers: Roger Marino, Steven Bowman

Director of photography: Alex Thomson

Production designer: Andy Harris

Music: Mark Knopfler

Costume designer: Trisha Biggar

Editor: David Ray

Cast:

Gordon McCleod: Robert Duvall

Jackie McQuillan: Ally McCoist

Peter Cameron: Michael Keaton

Martin Smith: Brian Cox

Kelsey: Cole Hauser

Kate: Kirsty Mitchell

Irene: Morag Hood.

Running time -- 114 minutes

MPAA rating: R...