Champions follows a former minor-league basketball coach who ends up managing a team of players with disabilities.
Marcus (Woody Harrelson) has dreams of coaching a big basketball team, but alas after being charged with driving under the influence (DUI), he reluctantly agrees to community service.
Rather than going to jail, he attempts to coach a team of players with intellectual disabilities. Of course, he immediately had doubts and they appear to be untrainable.
Marcus persists and tries different training techniques, some more successful than others. He gradually learns more about the personal lives of his team – and I think this is the strongest part of the film.
People with a disability can live full lives with jobs, hobbies, and interests. It’s the support of their families and their carers that is essential, but often, an underfunded area.
Marcus starts a no strings attached relationship, but you tell where that is headed.
This film is a remark on a Spanish film called Campeones. I have watched this film as well, and both have their merits.
Champions is a heart-warming film about being part of a team, working towards a common goal, but most of all being accepted.
About Champions
Woody Harrelson stars in the hilarious and heartwarming story of a former minor-league basketball coach who, after a series of missteps, is ordered by the court to manage a team of players with intellectual disabilities. He soon realizes that despite his doubts, together, this team can go further than they ever imagined. #champions
Director: Bobby Farrelly
Writer: Mark Rizzo
Based on the screenplay by: Javier Fesser, David Marqués
Executive Producers: Woody Harrelson, Brad Kessell, Alexander Jooss, Luis Manso, Álvaro Longoria, Javier Fesser
Producers: Paul Brooks, Scott Niemeyer, Jeremy Plager
Cast: Woody Harrelson, Kaitlin Olson, Ernie Hudson, Cheech Marin, Matt Cook
Leave a Reply