Having lived in central Bucks County most of my life, I will admit to a complete bias toward this documentary, created by Alex Weinress and Patrick Murray; who follow the football team at Central Bucks West High School, located in Doylestown, Pa. during the 1999 season, as the team tries to capture their third consecutive State Championship. Mike Pettine, CB West's legendary, tough-as-nails head coach, gives the filmmakers carte blanch to follow the Bucks everywhere as their season unfolds. They even get to film injuries out on the field. For the pivotal play of the season they are right there as well. You'll have to watch the movie if you want to know more about this item, however.
Though biased I can't fathom some of the criticism leveled at this movie. Yes; at first glance, the drill sergeant-like attitude Coach Pettine exhibits toward his players may seem petty and demeaning, but anyone actually watching the movie certainly will note Pettine's explanation for this. He knows that if they can take his verbal punishment they can then take the psychological battering leveled by opposing teams.
A good example of this can be seen in the way the CB West kids respond in a crucial game against BecaHi (Bethlehem Catholic High School) when they adopt a no-respect attitude toward the Bucks. BecaHi's blue collar kids, many of whose Fathers and Grandfathers must have worked at the steel mill in town before it closed, make it clear from the git go that they aren't in awe of Pennsylvania's supposed #1 team one bit; nor of nationally ranked fullback Dustin Picciotti. At one point after a play has ended, and while Picciotti's back is partially turned toward him, one of BecaHi's smaller players nonchalantly throws a shoulder into Picciotti while walking back to the huddle- what cohones!
Conversely, Coach Pettine brooks no such behavior on the part of his players, whom he would rather see respect the other team while grinding them into the turf. Anyway, during the first half of the game BecaHi's psych-out ploy temporarily throws a wrench into the CB West machine, but the Bucks then steel themselves and regain their form. Pettine's approach is vindicated. (That doesn't necessarily mean they win the game, of course!)
In another scene we see 3 West players walking out to the field for a game with Neshaminy High School, a contest described by Coach Pettine as a kind of mid-season championship game. The kids are lightheartedly singing the words to "Leaving on a Jet Plane" together. No game face on at all! It's as though Pettine's practices are so tough, the game itself is sometimes a breeze.
Also; having followed the Bucks since before Pettine's first season in 1967; let me assure you- any kid going out for football at CB West has been aware of Coach Pettine's legendary temper from the 7th grade on. They know what they're in for!
Even though these Bucks are usually loose before a game, most of which they win by scores of 40 to 10 or so, the irony is that this type of team can be crippled by their own talent since as they meet stiffer competition, they find themselves in unfamiliar waters. This kind of drama, which takes place in spades toward the end of the season, is well capitalized on by the two filmmakers, whose talent has been questioned by some reviewers.
It seems people are getting "low talent" confused with "low budget".
Anyone paying close attention throughout the film will be rewarded handsomely upon realization that the ultra-suspenseful scenarios toward the end (created by the natural playing out of reality- the best kind); have been foreshadowed or "flashbacked" by the filmmakers. In one segment a potentially crushing development for the Bucks takes place as 3 of their best players leave another crucial game with injuries. In a flashback we then see a 4th string player griping about not getting enough practice time. Now he's given a chance to prove himself. Will he rise to the occasion? Or will he tragically, heartbreakingly; crumble under pressure?
In an earlier segment, shot during practice, Coach is yelling at number 20, Andrew Elsing; showing him the right and the wrong way to perform a certain gridiron feat. Later, well
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At this point it becomes hard to argue much more for the legitimacy of the film's "highlight reel as unfolding drama" approach without ruining it for potential viewers.
Suffice to say the tension toward the end is unbearable.
