the movieGOOMBA

I love Disney sports movies. I know that doesn't mean much since I basically love most kinds of movies, but sports movies in particular have a distinct way of kindling feelings of triumph, not to mention the connection I always seem to think I have with the hero or heroine. Regardless of how cheesy the movie, I get goosebumps every time he/she makes the goal/home run/touchdown/winner/ big putt during that final big game. "Is he going to make it?!", "Are they going to win?!", "OMG DON'T DROP THE BALL!" I seriously ask these questions . . . out loud sometimes . . .regardless of the fact that I already know the answer. Its more fun that way.

Wahlberg portrays Vince Papale, a bartender down on his luck. Despite being a good man, his wife takes everything and leaves him with nothing but a note that says something to the extent of 'You'll never make any money, you'll never go anywhere, you're nothing.' Not a very nice lady. Living in a close-knit community in South Philli, Papale is encouraged by his friends and community to try out for the Eagles. He's got nothing to lose.

What's striking about this film is the realness of Wahlberg's portrayal. He could have been someone I knew. There is a particular scene when the Assistant Coach is knocking on people's dorms, telling them "the Coach wants to see you, bring your playbooks." Papale waits, sitting on his bed with his bag already packed, play book in hand, ready to walk out the door when that knock was sure to come. He waits for hours, and that knock never came. That's just about as human as you can get.

David O Russell put it best when he said that Wahlberg possess a "odd combination of street toughness and vulnerability." This was what made this film great. Creating a sports film is easy. You just need a team, a rival, our underdog team hero, and a supportive community and or coach. But what makes a sports movie great is the rawness of its actors portrayal of its characters. Despite the orange tinge this some decided it needed, despite a cheesy, Disney-esqe addition of making Papale look at his wife's 'I hate you note' every time before a practice, despite some attempted parallel between a struggling society and one glimmer of hope that is Papale incarnate, Wahlberg was really able to carry this film. This film was a touchdown.