The movie was excellent in many respects and the biblical foundation solid, and I'd highly recommend it, even though I don't agree with some of the suggestive clothing of the lead actress. Remember this is a Christian film intended for young girls. The Christian program "Crosstalk" agreed calling the lead actress' dress ungodly. On that point: "We are not to be molded into the image of the world" (Rom 12:2). Godliness and holiness are inward character qualities that bear outward fruit, which can include what a person chooses to wear. Modesty thankfully still matters in many Christian circles.
26 Reviews
To train a tack team
bkoganbing6 November 2017
A girl's Christian Academy hires a new track coach and Allee Sutton Hethcoat has her own ideas about training a cross country team to win over the long haul distance. Apparently the parents think that their daughters ought to be sprinting like Flo Jo. They want Hethcoat canned and the principal is ready to do it.
The film even without the Christian auspices is a nice study of what it takes to train a track team. But as this is a Christian film of course it will have certain parameters.
The theme of the film is the Bible verse Corinthians 10:31 about doing your best and giving God the glory. I'm not against that, but does it have to be done so publicly?
A nice film, but restricted to church audiences.
The film even without the Christian auspices is a nice study of what it takes to train a track team. But as this is a Christian film of course it will have certain parameters.
The theme of the film is the Bible verse Corinthians 10:31 about doing your best and giving God the glory. I'm not against that, but does it have to be done so publicly?
A nice film, but restricted to church audiences.
A good movie, but it could have been a great one
cjwilkinson-818083 May 2021
This is a good movie - but not for the reasons you might think looking at other reviews. Let's be honest - the God Squad viewership will give anything 10/10 if it fits their narrative, even if the film is a pile of poo.
This is a good movie because the premise of a coach who appears to be underqualified and inexperienced turning out to have a great unexpected strength is a winning one. If the directors had played this up, it could have been a great movie and not just a good one.
The religious lessons are shoehorned in with cringeworthy clumsiness resulting in the utmost hilarity. However, there is a certain charm about the desire to impart inspirational messages, and it does not stop the film from being an enjoyable watch.
This is a good movie because the premise of a coach who appears to be underqualified and inexperienced turning out to have a great unexpected strength is a winning one. If the directors had played this up, it could have been a great movie and not just a good one.
The religious lessons are shoehorned in with cringeworthy clumsiness resulting in the utmost hilarity. However, there is a certain charm about the desire to impart inspirational messages, and it does not stop the film from being an enjoyable watch.
Inspiring
lascreenwriter-492-6955930 August 2016
Dave Christiano has made an enjoyable, heartfelt and inspiring film that speaks to teens, parents, coaches, and even those who may just work with young people. It's also not afraid to go beyond just being entertaining, and addresses issues confronting teens in this day and age, and provides lessons that can be learned from, but it does that in a way that is seamless, not a "smacked over-the-head" presentation. The story and cast are quite enjoyable, as is the cinematography and soundtrack. I write a faith-based film column and I can honestly say this will easily be one of my favorite films. Once you've seen this, do yourself a favor and go find one of the many other fine films from Dave and Rich Christiano.
Don't Miss this Movie!
kfrancis42729 August 2016
Review by Memphis Soccer Mom
Nashville screenwriter and filmmaker Dave Christiano obviously did not select the subject of his newest movie REMEMBER THE GOAL on the popularity of meta-tags. He has courageously embraced perhaps the least well-known and least popular team sport in high schools, and written a script about something that barely existed forty years ago in America: a girl's high school sports team. It opened on screens Friday, Aug 26, trailing the Rio Summer Olympics.
Runners everywhere may have to tie on their sneakers and do a little cross country jaunt of their own to find one of the select theaters screening it. REMEMBER THE GOAL is showing this week in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee (Bartlett & Nashville), Texas and Auburn, New York. Click on state map to see which theaters at //www.fiveandtwopictures.com/theaters-map/
Though there was one all female sport teams in America in 1866 at the college level, it was not until the Title IX Educational Amendment passed in 1972, with these words: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance", that a revolution of sorts was launched in sports for women.
'In 1972 there were fewer than 32,000 women competing in intercollegiate athletics, according to an Associated Press article. Today more than 110,000 women participate in college sports and the number of female athletes in high school has increased from about 300,000 to 2.13 million. (See //www.pbs.org/pov/trueheartedvixens/timeline/)
The narrative feature takes place on a campus as did favorite films like Good Bye, Mr. Chips (Peter O'Toole-'69), Mr. Holland's Opus (Richard Dreyfuss), and more recently Blind Side (Sandra Bullock). The girls' sport team angle differs from A League of their Own (1992) starring Geena Davis and Tom Hanks in the fictionalized account of the first real (AAGPBL) professional women's baseball league in 1942, as the team in REMEMBER THE GOAL is not historically bound, with big stars giving their names to the production.
The majority of the cast appear to be fresh faces and newcomers. Under the direction of Mr. Christiano, each line is clearly articulated and believable. I was impressed by the minimal distractions from the story line by props, sets, costumes, or irregular camera movements. Each scene had what it needed to work and nothing excessive.
I found the pace steady, deliberate and in keeping with the tag line of the movie, "Cross Country is a lot like Life." This independent filmmaker utilized the beauty of sunlight in nearly all the scenes. Using high quality digital film equipment of the Ari Ultra Primes and Zeiss Super Speeds MK I lenses shot on a 4K Red Epic, the result is a visually stunning movie.
The story line of the movie follows the basic screen formula of a character beset by troubles while trying to reaching a goal. In this case the lead character is a woman, a new coach only a few years older than her students. She has to endure many challenges to her authority which the typical male coach would not. A few subplots provide instructive examples of Christianity at work, the warp and woof of this film's fabric.
The movie raises some interesting discussion points, such as obedience to parents, which is a Biblical teaching. The girls on the cross country team are caught in a bind between following the rules of the coach who is acting in loco parentis, a long honored tradition, and obeying conflicting advice of parents who choose to question this coach's methods. There is no foul language in this movie despite heated arguments.
This is a movie set in the here and now. People have a lot of freedom and have to make choices about how to respond to undesirable situations which come up. But these conflicts are about words and actions, rather than guns, bullets and violent explosions.
While some may question why the coach's did not justify her strategy or brag about previous accomplishments, others may understand that could have placed a heavy burden on the team. The coach makes the decision to let her actions speak for themselves. She obviously embraced teachings about controlling hurtful words or was taught it wasn't her place to argue with or contradict her employer and this belief inspires Coach Smith-Donnelly's reserved, controlled responses during emotionally challenging moments. Again, a discussion point to consider for viewers of this thought-provoking film.
I enjoyed the music in the film. During the final race for the State Title, I would have liked to have seen a boom, or drone view shot from overhead, and a little longer milking of the money shot at the end of the State Meet, perhaps slow motion. But the scene brought me to tears as it was anyway. And everyone knows the budget limitations an independent filmmaker faces, as opposed to the big studios.
This family movie illustrates the verse I Corinthians 10:31, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory." The film is rated PG by MPAA.
Nashville screenwriter and filmmaker Dave Christiano obviously did not select the subject of his newest movie REMEMBER THE GOAL on the popularity of meta-tags. He has courageously embraced perhaps the least well-known and least popular team sport in high schools, and written a script about something that barely existed forty years ago in America: a girl's high school sports team. It opened on screens Friday, Aug 26, trailing the Rio Summer Olympics.
Runners everywhere may have to tie on their sneakers and do a little cross country jaunt of their own to find one of the select theaters screening it. REMEMBER THE GOAL is showing this week in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee (Bartlett & Nashville), Texas and Auburn, New York. Click on state map to see which theaters at //www.fiveandtwopictures.com/theaters-map/
Though there was one all female sport teams in America in 1866 at the college level, it was not until the Title IX Educational Amendment passed in 1972, with these words: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance", that a revolution of sorts was launched in sports for women.
'In 1972 there were fewer than 32,000 women competing in intercollegiate athletics, according to an Associated Press article. Today more than 110,000 women participate in college sports and the number of female athletes in high school has increased from about 300,000 to 2.13 million. (See //www.pbs.org/pov/trueheartedvixens/timeline/)
The narrative feature takes place on a campus as did favorite films like Good Bye, Mr. Chips (Peter O'Toole-'69), Mr. Holland's Opus (Richard Dreyfuss), and more recently Blind Side (Sandra Bullock). The girls' sport team angle differs from A League of their Own (1992) starring Geena Davis and Tom Hanks in the fictionalized account of the first real (AAGPBL) professional women's baseball league in 1942, as the team in REMEMBER THE GOAL is not historically bound, with big stars giving their names to the production.
The majority of the cast appear to be fresh faces and newcomers. Under the direction of Mr. Christiano, each line is clearly articulated and believable. I was impressed by the minimal distractions from the story line by props, sets, costumes, or irregular camera movements. Each scene had what it needed to work and nothing excessive.
I found the pace steady, deliberate and in keeping with the tag line of the movie, "Cross Country is a lot like Life." This independent filmmaker utilized the beauty of sunlight in nearly all the scenes. Using high quality digital film equipment of the Ari Ultra Primes and Zeiss Super Speeds MK I lenses shot on a 4K Red Epic, the result is a visually stunning movie.
The story line of the movie follows the basic screen formula of a character beset by troubles while trying to reaching a goal. In this case the lead character is a woman, a new coach only a few years older than her students. She has to endure many challenges to her authority which the typical male coach would not. A few subplots provide instructive examples of Christianity at work, the warp and woof of this film's fabric.
The movie raises some interesting discussion points, such as obedience to parents, which is a Biblical teaching. The girls on the cross country team are caught in a bind between following the rules of the coach who is acting in loco parentis, a long honored tradition, and obeying conflicting advice of parents who choose to question this coach's methods. There is no foul language in this movie despite heated arguments.
This is a movie set in the here and now. People have a lot of freedom and have to make choices about how to respond to undesirable situations which come up. But these conflicts are about words and actions, rather than guns, bullets and violent explosions.
While some may question why the coach's did not justify her strategy or brag about previous accomplishments, others may understand that could have placed a heavy burden on the team. The coach makes the decision to let her actions speak for themselves. She obviously embraced teachings about controlling hurtful words or was taught it wasn't her place to argue with or contradict her employer and this belief inspires Coach Smith-Donnelly's reserved, controlled responses during emotionally challenging moments. Again, a discussion point to consider for viewers of this thought-provoking film.
I enjoyed the music in the film. During the final race for the State Title, I would have liked to have seen a boom, or drone view shot from overhead, and a little longer milking of the money shot at the end of the State Meet, perhaps slow motion. But the scene brought me to tears as it was anyway. And everyone knows the budget limitations an independent filmmaker faces, as opposed to the big studios.
This family movie illustrates the verse I Corinthians 10:31, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory." The film is rated PG by MPAA.
The Worst Christian Film Ever Made?
timday-4652424 December 2016
In his My Year of Flops, Nathan Rabin coined the term "sh***y miracle" as a twist on the "so bad it's good" movie mentality. For Rabin, though, this designation didn't just mean that the film was enjoyable just because it was bad. These were films that were truly special, a hail mary of perfect badness. Rabin writes: "In a sh***y miracle, everything goes awry. It's not a matter of one sorry element dragging the rest down; it's every terrible component amplifying the awfulness of everything else. These shitty miracles represent the perfect storm of bad ideas and miscalculation. Everything must line up perfectly for a sh***y miracle to occur."
REMEMBER THE GOAL is exactly that. A film that should join the ranks of BIRDEMIC, THE ROOM, SHOWGIRLS, and GIGLI as movies so terribly unwatchable that they are fodder for audiences everywhere to watch and enjoy as an epic cinematic car crash. Add the Christian movie element to the film, and miraculous is certainly an ironic term to describe the absolute train wreck of this film.
Where does one start? Is it with the performance of Allee-Sutton Hethcoat as Courtney Smith-Donnelly and her monotone delivery of parables and inspirational anecdotes? Also, note that both actress and character have maintained hyphenated names. Hethcoat's delivery is so dry that it is well after a humorous line is delivered that you have to rewind in your head and realize it is written as a joke. Despite being the coach, she wears shorts to practice and yoga pants to class. As a science teacher at the local Chrisitan Academy, short skirts seem inappropriate attire for a chemistry lab, but director Dave Christiano's male gaze will not be denied. Beyond ogling the lead actress, the film has more than a few uncomfortable montages of teen girls running toward the camera. Feeling more like an 80s sexploitation film waiting to happen, Christiano's choice to shoot the teenage girls full body straight on--bounding and bouncing toward the camera is hilarious and uncomfortable all at once. But the misogyny doesn't end there. Coach Donnelly has a strategy to train her girls to run that the film promotes as some sort of secret and heretical idea (you know...like Jesus). However, even a layman to the sport understands the idea of pacing and training to run a stronger race...so the film sets up a twist ending that has no twist at all. But even Donnelly can't explain it to us. Another male coach from another school must first explain the strategy to the audience, leaving the female coach then to re-explain her master plan, which is no sort of master plan at all. Even here, men are smarter than the women. There is also an inexplicable symbol as the teammates and coach all put their fists together...and somehow that represents a team. Is it a cross? A "T"? Why does that represent team? So many questions.
Why would a coach choose not to reveal their strategy at the risk of getting fired? I am certain Nashville has people of color in its population. Where are they? Why would an Athletic Director of a private school fire a coach mid- season? Why would that same AD hire a parent as a coach? Why do white girls from Nashville not sweat when they have run 3 miles? Why... ? (there are about 40 more of these)
The film is filled with problems that aren't really problems. A 15- year-old girl isn't allowed to date, and apparently, that includes just stepping onto a boy's front porch. Friends smoke weed and then immediately give it up for no reason at all except "the power of prayer." A girl has self-esteem issues until her coach lovingly tells her that she wouldn't sell her to anyone at any price which hilariously works as a cautionary tale against human trafficking. One parent exclaims to her daughter after running a race "YOU'RE AWFUL!" as the rest of the team and nearby parents gawk. It is hilariously bad. But that is only one of the gems from the script. There are more like:
"I CAN'T READ!!" "Christianity doesn't make sense." "Remember that thing I asked you to do after dinner?" "If I know Jesus like I think I do, he slipped out the back door."
...and on and on and on. This movie isn't occasionally awful. It is consistent scene by scene and line by line. The parabolic platitudes of a female coach with her plastered smile and varied hair styles solve every issue, heal every wound, and also win championships. How does one then rank a movie like REMEMBER THE GOAL? As a film setting out to do what it is trying to do...it is awful. However, as an unintentional comedy, I laughed out loud more in this film than any other comedy I have seen this year. Choose how you see this movie and you will see either a stinker....or a sh***y miracle.
REMEMBER THE GOAL is exactly that. A film that should join the ranks of BIRDEMIC, THE ROOM, SHOWGIRLS, and GIGLI as movies so terribly unwatchable that they are fodder for audiences everywhere to watch and enjoy as an epic cinematic car crash. Add the Christian movie element to the film, and miraculous is certainly an ironic term to describe the absolute train wreck of this film.
Where does one start? Is it with the performance of Allee-Sutton Hethcoat as Courtney Smith-Donnelly and her monotone delivery of parables and inspirational anecdotes? Also, note that both actress and character have maintained hyphenated names. Hethcoat's delivery is so dry that it is well after a humorous line is delivered that you have to rewind in your head and realize it is written as a joke. Despite being the coach, she wears shorts to practice and yoga pants to class. As a science teacher at the local Chrisitan Academy, short skirts seem inappropriate attire for a chemistry lab, but director Dave Christiano's male gaze will not be denied. Beyond ogling the lead actress, the film has more than a few uncomfortable montages of teen girls running toward the camera. Feeling more like an 80s sexploitation film waiting to happen, Christiano's choice to shoot the teenage girls full body straight on--bounding and bouncing toward the camera is hilarious and uncomfortable all at once. But the misogyny doesn't end there. Coach Donnelly has a strategy to train her girls to run that the film promotes as some sort of secret and heretical idea (you know...like Jesus). However, even a layman to the sport understands the idea of pacing and training to run a stronger race...so the film sets up a twist ending that has no twist at all. But even Donnelly can't explain it to us. Another male coach from another school must first explain the strategy to the audience, leaving the female coach then to re-explain her master plan, which is no sort of master plan at all. Even here, men are smarter than the women. There is also an inexplicable symbol as the teammates and coach all put their fists together...and somehow that represents a team. Is it a cross? A "T"? Why does that represent team? So many questions.
Why would a coach choose not to reveal their strategy at the risk of getting fired? I am certain Nashville has people of color in its population. Where are they? Why would an Athletic Director of a private school fire a coach mid- season? Why would that same AD hire a parent as a coach? Why do white girls from Nashville not sweat when they have run 3 miles? Why... ? (there are about 40 more of these)
The film is filled with problems that aren't really problems. A 15- year-old girl isn't allowed to date, and apparently, that includes just stepping onto a boy's front porch. Friends smoke weed and then immediately give it up for no reason at all except "the power of prayer." A girl has self-esteem issues until her coach lovingly tells her that she wouldn't sell her to anyone at any price which hilariously works as a cautionary tale against human trafficking. One parent exclaims to her daughter after running a race "YOU'RE AWFUL!" as the rest of the team and nearby parents gawk. It is hilariously bad. But that is only one of the gems from the script. There are more like:
"I CAN'T READ!!" "Christianity doesn't make sense." "Remember that thing I asked you to do after dinner?" "If I know Jesus like I think I do, he slipped out the back door."
...and on and on and on. This movie isn't occasionally awful. It is consistent scene by scene and line by line. The parabolic platitudes of a female coach with her plastered smile and varied hair styles solve every issue, heal every wound, and also win championships. How does one then rank a movie like REMEMBER THE GOAL? As a film setting out to do what it is trying to do...it is awful. However, as an unintentional comedy, I laughed out loud more in this film than any other comedy I have seen this year. Choose how you see this movie and you will see either a stinker....or a sh***y miracle.
A clean family movie for all ages to see!
cdlampkins21 May 2017
I am so glad Dave Christiano came out with another movie. I watched this movie on DVD today with my wife and we both Loved it. Remember The Goal is a movie that you can bring the whole family to, regardless of their age and not worry about something being said that is inappropriate. I love the lessons about: 1. How God values you as a person; 2. How drugs are bad for you; 3. How to remain humble; 4. The importance of obeying your parents vs your friends; and 5. Not giving into peer pressure. 1 Cor. 10:31 (NLT) Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God. Thanks again Dave for creating another great movie, you are continuing to hit Home Runs!!! If anyone is looking for similar movies to purchase, go to Christianfilms.com.
Great movie but it lacks diversity!
fortitude-408665 November 2018
Excellent movie with a great Christian message, BUT it was an all white Christian school team competing against other all white school teams. Some how people of other ethnic groups have been conveniently left out. Seems like the movie is subtly promoting not so Christian ideals like racial separation or a white utopian society. Let's do better next time!!
Fantastic Movie!
derekandkrissie24 July 2017
Took our daughter to watch this with her friends for her 16th Birthday. Not only did all the girls love it, we got to meet the writer of the film and 2 of the girls whom he coached and had inspired him to write the film. We got to talk with them and take pictures together after the film. What a great bonus to a great movie!
Glorifies arrogance and faith in what doesn't make sense
goblinteacupsmith23 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
As a former runner, I did not enjoy this movie. The coach had a God complex, feigning humility and suffering for Christ, while being sooo arrogant and arguing with basically every parent and athletic official she comes across. No discussions with the runners, she was the authority! The coach's master plan for winning state was to consistently make all the girls slow down their running, in practices and meets. The ideas of pacing and not going out too fast are legit, but the way they were presented in this movie was very unrealistic. The girls really were amazing runners to be able to keep the exact pacing the coach asks them to every time they run, though! She told each one exactly what time to run from their first practice, miraculously knowing both what kind of shape they were in and deciding what time each was capable of based on their time from a race the previous year, I guess. No growth or progress allowed, ever, until state meet! When... drumroll... they win (all because they were not worn out from racing any other times this season like the other teams)!
The heartwarming moment, though, is that the coach left the meet before the results came in, I guess because she suddenly found humility and was giving the glory to God? I'm not sure because the message alongside "slipping out the back door" eluded me, probably because it "didn't make sense" (one of the main messages of the movie was to glorify faith in things that don't make sense).
This movie idealizes this harmful and confusing view of faith, distorts arrogance to look like wisdom, and shows holier than thou lectures changing others' hearts. It was cotton candy sweet and just as full of fakeness and junk. Overall, gross.
Why the movie is so great
ortizmr-9096221 April 2018
Must watch
robin-4062823 February 2020
It could have been a 7/8 stars but...
devurocks22 March 2022
It was promoting Christianity and the blind faith you need to have in religion as if they get commission. I get that you are Christian and believe in it a lot but do you really have to talk about it every 10 minutes and explain away everything by "Oh, you know there's a story in the Bible", "Jesus was perfect and ...", "Let me tell you what happened to Jesus when..", etc. And the plot moved too conveniently. The coach was a total Mary Sue. Urgh!
Beautiful Movie: Highly Recommended
teepeeb8 October 2017
For a sport's fan give this movie a 7/10 for trusting your coach. As a Christian, add a star for trusting God. The movie is very clean. I would not hesitate to let an eight year old watch this movie. The PG rating is nonsense. The reference to drug use (weed) is positive in context.
Cute but cheesy and steeped in evangelicalism
soundchic-1329210 March 2024
Clearly fairly low budget and the acting is fine- but not good. Steeped in evangelical propaganda which is the main source of the low rating. Also the abusive, rude and demeaning way that a lot of the parents shown talk to their kids is a major ick. The Mr sims character is misogynistic and rude and his daughter acts like a spoiled brat because of the way he has raised her to be so focused on her worth being in what she can accomplish rather than teaching her that her worth is elsewhere- typical of a Christian evangelical mindset. Don't let your kids watch this film except as a lesson in how to identify disrespect and problematic behavior.
So inspiring!
jljgladewater26 May 2020
I have seen this movie twice now and could watch it every weekend and never get tired of it. The first time I watched it, I was so into remembering my own Cross Country days (and track and Army and Collegiate and all those runs that you pay to enter after schooling). Every team and runner should watch this! This time I got all the little messages that the coach was instilling in the girls. They work whether you are a teen or a full grown adult at any age. I still run to this day. CC Forever! I am so excited that there is another movie like this. I can't wait to watch the next one. Thank you for writing this film. 10:31
Nah...
donnodcassandra-4109925 March 2021
Amazing!
saramichael-2714911 July 2022
I would highly recommend this film
coryalanmarvin16 January 2021
A little too religious for me however the message packs a lovely punch
skpn12315 February 2019
Just loved the key messages in this film. Highlights the need to constantly shake up our beliefs and way of doing things and to be open to new ideas.
The sky's the limit if we are simply open and teachable.
The patience of this young teacher deserved an award. What painful and ambitious individuals are created out of closing your mind and heart - and this movie portrayed them well
The sky's the limit if we are simply open and teachable.
The patience of this young teacher deserved an award. What painful and ambitious individuals are created out of closing your mind and heart - and this movie portrayed them well
Good message about remembering to focus on long-term goals
senatorharrison25 March 2022
I love sports movies with a Christian message (Chariots of Fire, Facing the Giants) and my daughter and I especially liked this one. It has a good message about remembering to focus on the long-term goals, which is important to remember in sports and other areas of life.
My Favorite Endurance Sports Movie, so far
gimlet_eye6 August 2023
The title I've given this review may seem a bit back-handed or gratuitous (like the commercials for Christianity embedded in the movie), because
there's very little competition in this space. In fact, the only other fairly recent movies about distance runners that come to mind are McFarland USA
(2015, with Kevin Costner), and Saint Ralph (2004, with Campbell Scott). These are both well made movies, with star actors that I like, but, like most
sports movies, they fail to dig into the technical as well as the psychological guts of the sport. Most sports movies are movies about underdogs
triumphing in the end (in fact this is a formula that many reviewers are heartily tired of), but the ones I like best also feature coaches who have the
insight to imagine a radically different approach that challenges orthodoxy, and the moral fortitude to pursue it and stake their all on the outcome.
Hence my love for such true story based movies as Moneyball (2011, with Brad Pitt), Coach Carter (2005, with Samuel L. Jackson), and even Draft Day (2014, with Kevin Costner).
Although this movie is strictly fiction (and Christianized fiction at that), and can be criticized for various improbabilities, the coach in this movie likewise embodies most of the virtues of the ideal man of Kipling's poem, If (including, literally, filling "the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds' worth of distance run") - even though she is a comely young woman. And as with the other movies of this sort that I've listed, this one is charged with genuine suspense because you wonder how in the h--- the protagonist is going to pull off his/her plan - which, of course, I will not disclose as that would be spoiling.
And finally, although I am not a Christian myself, I am also not a disrespecter of Christianity, and, unlike certain other reviewers who are alienated by the Christian themes of faith, hope, and love (maybe because Christianity was shoved down their craw in their youth, or otherwise out of unrecognized envy), I congratulate the director, Dave Christiano (whose IMDB bio acknowledges his didactic Christian intent) on the appropriateness both of the behavior and of the Christian parables his protagonist invokes.
Could this short, low-budget, movie be better? Sure, with a bit more time to develop the specifics of training, and the depth psychology of the relationships, and perhaps to smooth over the improbabilities with circumstantial exposition, such as one would find in a book.
But for those non-Christians who find the same sort of virtues in this movie that I do, it's sequel, The Perfect Race (2019) which features the same coach protagonist translated to a college environment, is also a must view.
Hence my love for such true story based movies as Moneyball (2011, with Brad Pitt), Coach Carter (2005, with Samuel L. Jackson), and even Draft Day (2014, with Kevin Costner).
Although this movie is strictly fiction (and Christianized fiction at that), and can be criticized for various improbabilities, the coach in this movie likewise embodies most of the virtues of the ideal man of Kipling's poem, If (including, literally, filling "the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds' worth of distance run") - even though she is a comely young woman. And as with the other movies of this sort that I've listed, this one is charged with genuine suspense because you wonder how in the h--- the protagonist is going to pull off his/her plan - which, of course, I will not disclose as that would be spoiling.
And finally, although I am not a Christian myself, I am also not a disrespecter of Christianity, and, unlike certain other reviewers who are alienated by the Christian themes of faith, hope, and love (maybe because Christianity was shoved down their craw in their youth, or otherwise out of unrecognized envy), I congratulate the director, Dave Christiano (whose IMDB bio acknowledges his didactic Christian intent) on the appropriateness both of the behavior and of the Christian parables his protagonist invokes.
Could this short, low-budget, movie be better? Sure, with a bit more time to develop the specifics of training, and the depth psychology of the relationships, and perhaps to smooth over the improbabilities with circumstantial exposition, such as one would find in a book.
But for those non-Christians who find the same sort of virtues in this movie that I do, it's sequel, The Perfect Race (2019) which features the same coach protagonist translated to a college environment, is also a must view.
Clever film: For teachers, runners and christians
carrick5516 May 2022
The starting premise is a private christian high school running team. It is much deeper that I expected and I found rewatching rewarding. It has multiple narrative lines, is personality driven, has a morality focus, and it finds some useful technical running ideas.
The moral dilemas are interesting the personalities are credible and engaging. The production values and acting are Hallmark+ quality. The music is well matched to the story. The plot pacing is nicely developed. The climax is was exciting and satisfying. The polarising issue is the openly christian theme. The examples and scripture is unmissable but appropriate. It is clearly not be to everyone's taste but you do not need to be any kind of runner or christian to understand and enjoy this film.
Free on Youtube at the moment. It got some of the recognition it deserved. A good independant film. The (stand alone) sequel 'The Perfect Race' is also very good, similar flavour, perhaps even better though.
I recommend both.
The moral dilemas are interesting the personalities are credible and engaging. The production values and acting are Hallmark+ quality. The music is well matched to the story. The plot pacing is nicely developed. The climax is was exciting and satisfying. The polarising issue is the openly christian theme. The examples and scripture is unmissable but appropriate. It is clearly not be to everyone's taste but you do not need to be any kind of runner or christian to understand and enjoy this film.
Free on Youtube at the moment. It got some of the recognition it deserved. A good independant film. The (stand alone) sequel 'The Perfect Race' is also very good, similar flavour, perhaps even better though.
I recommend both.
I really enjoyed it
sateigdraleah18 September 2021
The new coach was exactly right.
jbell050110 February 2019
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