Every year or so, a sports movie comes out that is supposed to make you feel good, tell a captivating tale, break your heart, or keep you on the edge of your seat.  Unfortunately, I always walk away disappointed which is why from this day forward – with the exception of The Sandlot – I will never watch another sports movie. 

I hesitate to even put The Sandlot in the “sports movie” category because it is really more of a story about growing up, getting into trouble, facing your adversity, and learning the hard way that sometimes a knock on your neighbor’s door is the best way to handle things.  The grab bag of crazy characters take turns talking trash, kissing lifeguards, chewing tobacco, and playing ball under the fireworks.  They even come together and beat an organized team that had their own baseball jerseys.  Yes, this movie is a classic and one of my personal, all-time favorites. 

But the other sports movies out there are what really grind my gears.   I don’t want to take anything away from the talented actors, they are fine at what they do, but let me say this…with very few exceptions you had two choices growing up. Your first option was to play sports which many of us did.  Your second option was to take drama or theater classes which some of us did.  Those that excelled in drama classes, probably weren’t so hot on the basketball court or the baseball and football fields.  So why is it that I am forced to watch actors look like uncoordinated 6^th graders out on the court or field every time I watch a sports movie?  Oh, and have you ever seen Tom Cruise throw a ball? Good form there.  You really put the Short in Shortstop by the way. 

Anybody who has ever watched an actual sporting event knows that there is enough drama in the game to make it exciting without having to add players breaking their leg but triumphantly returning to the court for the game winning shot.  Real sports fans know that it takes talent and chemistry all year long to win a championship, you can’t start liking and trusting each other in the huddle on the last play of the game and expect to get anything done. 

Also, do they ever lose?  Is there any doubt as to the outcome of a sports movie?  Did you watch Mr. 3,000 and really think that Bernie Mac wasn’t going to get his 3,000 hits and get into the Hall of Fame? If a team ever does lose the championship, do they ever show it? No they end on a good note and run the story of how they lost just before the closing credits. 

To me, sports movies are a horrible rendition of what actual sports are like.  Horrible acting, horrible drama, predictable endings.  I would love to hear of any sports movies you’ve seen that break this mold.  The challenge is out!

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