CAST: Will Ferrell, Robert Duvall, Mike Ditka, Rachael Harris, Kate Walsh, Musetta Vander, Dave Herman, Laura Kightlinger, Tom Virtue, Martin Starr, Jarrad Paul
Directed By: Jesse Dylan
Written By: Steve Rudnick & Leo Benvenuti
Cinematography By: Lloyd Ahern II
Editor: Stuart H. Pappe & Peter Teschner<--! more -->
This is what you get when you have a film starring will Ferrell but it is a restrained will ferrell he doesn’t have as many chances for improv with this film no doubt restrained since this is more of a film centered for families plus the cast is mostly kids. Do he is forced to play it more as scripted. The results are not horrible but exactly what you would expect in a family film. But if you notice up until now he still hasn’t made another family centric film since.
On the plus side it's not as horrible as youwould expect it's entertaining even amusing at times. Some other people are funny but it is mainly a project for Ferrell to take center stage. This is one of the comedies you would thinkhe would have taken more when he was on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE not so much when he made the leap to features. But this did help cement him a guaranteed hit and open up his fan base to a younger demographic that could actually get to see his films without there parents. Since most of the movies he had made at this point were Rated R.
The film is about Ferrell as a kind not very athletic businessman who’s father is a manly man who is a soccer coach who benches his grandson. so Ferell decides to coach his own soccer team with his son and other misfits as team members. At first he is a nightmare until he gets mike ditka to coach due to a rivalry with his father and soon the success and power goes to his head.
The main theme of the film is, Learning understanding and the importance of a relationship between a father and son. Which is unusual in of itself as most Will Ferrell films don't actually have a main theme. they are jsut surreal and off the wall.
Not the best of Will Ferrell’s films in fact this is one of his first sports themed films. It’s like watching a caged animal watching his work here. He is still entertaining and putting on a good show, but it’s like he is being held back from the top of his talent and what he is capable of. But at least you understand why it must be like this.
This is a nice film to watch with the whole family, a noteworthy rental
GRADE: C+
