That Championship Season

Starring:Bruce Dern, Stacy Keach, Robert Mitchum, Martin Sheen, Paul Sorvino, Arthur Franz, Michael Bernosky, Joseph Kelly, James M. Langan, Tony Santaniello, William G. McAndrew, Barry Weiner, Edward Cunningham, Robert E. Schlesinger, George Lowry, Jim Sparkman
Director: Jason Miller
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

It's easier to believe the lie
winning play
winning play

That Championship Season
Starring: Bruce Dern , Stacy Keach , Robert Mitchum , Martin Sheen , and Paul Sorvino
Director: Jason Miller
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000YEEYE
Release Date: 2004-02-17

Description

From the acclaimed Broadway play that scored a Pulitzer Prize comes this winning adaptation that Â"packs a punchÂ" (Newsweek). Featuring dynamic performances by an Â"excellent castÂ" (The New York Times), including Bruce Dern, Stacey Keach, Robert Mitchum, Martin Sheen, and Paul Sorvino, That Championship Season is Â"a big hitÂ" (Boxoffice)!

ItÂ's been 25 years since the Scranton High School basketball team won the state championship. And every year, four of the victors and their coach (Mitchum) gather to relive the glory of their shining moment. But tonight, the reunion is rife with accusations of betrayal, backstabbing, infidelity and fraud. Can their friendship survive their crimes against each otherÂ... or will the dirtiest secret of all destroy what remains of their finest hour?

Customer Reviews:

It's easier to believe the lie.......2005-09-19

The place is Scranton, PA, and four members and their coach of the 1957 state basketball champs are holding their 24th reunion. These men have held on to that moment of glory as if it were their life preserver, as indeed it is - for their lives now are filled with broken dreams and disillusionment. One (Bruce Dern) is running for re-election as mayor, though he's lost touch with the people; another (Martin Sheen) is an alcoholic; another a lecher; still another a weasily follower. The coach (Robert Mitchum) still thinks these guys are a great team. But for one evening the illusions are stripped away and they are left facing the truth. But, incredibly, they all go back to believing the old hooey about themselves, and that's what makes this movie (based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Jason Miller) so depressing: they are sinners who are almost redeemed by the truth and then reject it and decide to sin some more. There is a stagey feel about the movie that can't be helped, but it's an intelligent and well done production anyway. Definitely worth a watch.

winning play.......2000-10-04

It's not often a playwright gets to direct the film of his own play so Jason Miller's production of the Pultizer Prize winner, which took 10 years to reach the screen, brings great expectations. Miller seems to have opted to concentrate on the performances of his 5 principle players, as opposed to trying for any visual style, which is appropriate for this kind of ensemble Eugene O'Neill-ish drama. The stage origins of the material are still in evidence, by having the actors constantly moving from room to room but this hardly matters when the actors engender such good will. The set-up is the reunion of the 1957 high school state basketball champions of Scranton, Pennsylvania, at a time when Bruce Dern's Mayor is up for re-election. Thankfully the life as sport metaphor isn't pushed too much, and the coach that the four men all worship isn't revealed to be a phony. You may wonder why these grown men still seek the juvenile approval of a schoolboy teacher, but the reason is in the way he understands them, knows how to sooth their anguish, and still inspire them. He is a father who is both wise and loving. The deep-voiced Robert Mitchum brings both his strong masculinity and a delicate empathy to the character. His coach doesn't need to swear or raise his voice. Just the laying on hands is enough, though his rejection of one of the men as a ploy strikes a false note, perhaps since this is the only time we see Mitchum reduced to phyisical violence. Perhaps I was also put off from this moment since the rejection follows the Edward Albee-ish mention of the player who has refused to reunite. The play's narrative doesn't cover any new ground but it does allow actors like Dern, Stacy Keach, and in particular Paul Sorvino and Martin Sheen to have richer and longer screen exposure. Sorvino is a revelation, perhaps explaining why he instigated a remake, and Sheen very funny, especially when he laughs. Of note is the quiet side to Bill Conti's score.

winning play.......2000-10-04

It's not often a playwright gets to direct the film of his own play so Jason Miller's production of the Pultizer Prize winner, which took 10 years to reach the screen, brings great expectations. Miller seems to have opted to concentrate on the performances of his 5 principle players, as opposed to trying for any visual style, which is appropriate for this kind of ensemble Eugene O"Neill-ish drama. The stage origins of the material are still in evidence, by having the actors constantly moving from room to room but this hardly matters when the actors engender such good will. The set-up is the reunion of the 1957 high school state basketball champions of Scranton, Pennsylvania, at a time when Bruce Dern's Mayor is up for re-election. Thankfully the life as sport metaphor isn't pushed too much, and the coach that the four men all worship isn't revealed to be a phony. You may wonder why these grown men still seek the juvenile approval of a schoolboy teacher, but the reason is in the way he understands them, knows how to sooth their anguish, and still inspire them. He is a father who is both wise and loving. The deep-voiced Robert Mitchum brings both his strong masculinity and a delcate emapthy to the character. His coach doesn't need to swear or raise his voice. Just the laying on hands is enough, though his rejection of one of the men as a ploy strikes a false note, perhaps since this is the only time we see Mitchum reduced to phyisical violence. Perhaps I was also put off from this moment since the rejection follows the Edward Albee-ish mention of the player who has refused to reunite. The play's narrative doesn't cover any new ground but it does allow actors like Dern, Stacy Keach, and in particular Paul Sorvino and Martin Sheen to have richer and longer screen exposure. Sorvino is a revelation, perhaps explaining why he instigated a remake, and Sheen very funny, especially when he laughs. Of note is the quiet side to Bill Conti's score.

Average customer rating:

Good drama, interesting characters
powerful acting and true reality
An Anthem for The Klan
Excellent theatre that doesn't translate well to film
the best drama iv'e seen in a while

That Championship Season
Starring: Joe Bays , Susan M. Carr , Vincent D'Onofrio , Denise Kaye (II) , and Terry Kinney
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0006GAOMW
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Amazon.com

When an all-star team of great actors runs a play with drama and depth, everyone is a winner. That Championship Season is purely an actor's game. And no wonder. The author is actor Jason Miller (who played the fallen priest in The Exorcist), and when the author is an actor, the goal in the game is character. Miller's script constantly reveals new layers through the characters' intense, emotional scenes. Twenty years after five underdogs won the state basketball championship, they are cheered at a reunion and head home to reminisce. Now their big play is to get their friend George re-elected as mayor, but the years have driven wedges between the men and celebration turns to bitterness and recrimination. None of the characters turns out as you might expect, and everybody gets their chance to prove themselves. Tony Shalhoub (George) may be the mayor but has no control over his life or destiny. Terry Kinney (James) seems to be a beacon of responsibility, but failure has made him mean and vindictive. Vincent D'Onofrio (Phil) is the town success but spiritually impoverished. The film's executive producer is Gary Sinise, who plays Tom, the conscience of the group despite his alcoholism. Appropriately, the coach is played by director Paul Sorvino in a performance laden with paradox, veering from paternal to bestial. That Championship Season is a powerful portrait of disappointment and friendship that uncovers the sadness beneath the bravado of sports champions through the thespian teamwork of five leading film talents. --Lloyd Chesley

Description

Customer Reviews:

Good drama, interesting characters.......2005-08-03

Overall I enjoyed this movie very much, after a slow start. It was adapted from a play, and this shows; especially in the fact that the action is set almost entirely in one location. At first I thought this made the movie a little boring, but as the plot and characters developed it actually became quite interesting.

The movie is very much character driven, it is about four ex-basketball players and their coach who get together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of a championship win at the coach's house. All five principal characters are flawed and to an extent dissatisfied with their lives. The storyline is basically about how these flaws and frustrations create conflict between the characters and how all of these tensions come to the surface on this night.

I thought that the acting was excellent, and even though the characters come across as ammoral and even pathetic, the viewer can relate to them because they are after all, flawed humans, just like everyone else. My only criticism would be of Gary Sinise's character; an alcholic whose role in the film was mainly to show-up the weaknesses of the other characters. His sarcastic remarks became a little annoying firstly because what he was pointing out was obvious anyway; and secondly because he was hardly a model of a well-adjusted person himself.

So I would definitely recommend this movie as an interesting character study.

powerful acting and true reality.......2001-01-12

The movie is definitly unique and not for everyone but in my opion the best movie iv'e seen in ages.The diologue in the movie is very sophisticated and the acting very powerful there is so much going on you really have to listen.After having a close circle of friends iv'e started to realize what the movie is all about doubting your friends and being betrayed by them.And also realizing that your not were you want to be in life each character is very diffrent and is dealing with diffrent issues. This movie in some respects is better than these action blockbuster hits if your in to serious and sophisticated drama. This movie is for you watch it i garauntee you will be moved watch it when your happy or sad it doesent matter.This film cant be bashed except for the fact there is to much swearing. You might say oh it sounds to deppresing it is at times but so is real life that's what this movie is. True and sad reality and haning on to friendships.If you think this movie is bad you'd best email me and tell me beaugraham@hotmail.com

An Anthem for The Klan.......2000-08-13

A very disappointing and tedious exercise that will hopefully prevent Paul Sorvino from directing another film. Except for another fine performance by Gary Sinise, don't expect to be moved, either physically or emotionally. It flows like a series of cliched bigotries, with no specific direction. The dialog spoken by the coach (Sorvino) is as vitriolic as the Edward Norton character in American History X, (and would most certainly be embraced by neo-Nazi groups). But at least in that movie, Norton's character experienced some ultimate redemption. In this film, the audience receives nothing in return for spending 2 hours with a quintet of pathetic white males. Yuck.

Excellent theatre that doesn't translate well to film.......2000-04-19

This is the second attempt to bring this thought provoking play to the mass market, this time through a TV movie now in rental. Thoreau is quoted as saying: "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation." This play peels away the layers of self delusion to reveal such desperation in the insecurities, disappointments, unrealized potential and mediocrity of four men and a coach who's lives peaked in high school when they won the state basketball championship.

It is, unfortunately, a depiction too familiar to the many who never escaped their small town or neighborhood and live trying to salvage some feeling of dignity from the mediocrity and despair to which they have allowed their lives to sink.

At the 20th reunion at the coach's house (Paul Sorvino) the characters gradually reveal how pathetic their lives have become. There is the bitter coach, a unabashed bigot who still talks to grown men like they were teenaged basketball players and who believes all of life can be summed up in sports aphorisms.

James (Terry Kinney), a junior high school principal, is by far the most self delusional of the five, clearly a loser who never changed with the times, he believes he has a bright future in politics when he couldn't get elected to a sanitation post.

George (Tony Shalhoub) plays the mayor of Filmore, who has bungled his term in office and will imminently be voted out. He spends most of this time trying to convince himself and everyone else how popular and wonderful he is, when it is clear to everyone that he is a fool.

Phil (Vincent D'Onofrio) is a spoiled little rich boy who inherited his father's business which is now raping the environment for profit. He supports George's campaign so he can get variances that allow him to profit from this abuse.

Tom (a fabulous performance by Gary Sinese) is James brother, a vagabond alcoholic who ironically is the only one who sees the situation with any clarity. He is openly cynical of himself and the others and constantly speaks with justifiable disgust about all his peers and their miserable lives.

The problem with this and most plays that try to go to film is that unless the director adds uniqueness visually, or through the set, location, props or costumes, it just looks like you are watching a play through a window. Since you have lost the power of the live performance, it always loses something in translation.

Sorvino, as the director, failed to do this. He clearly focused on the actors performances (which were all exceptional) and did a brilliant job of recreating a great play on film. That did not make it a great film. It made it seem overly long and tedious. As a play I would give it a 9, as a film a 6.

This is not a film for everyone. One needs to get into a philosophical frame of mind and prepare to see an interesting character study of some very miserable characters. If you are an avid theater goer and can handle a downbeat drama about the failings of common people, I strongly recommend it. Otherwise look for some lighter fare.

the best drama iv'e seen in a while.......2000-04-15

I cant beileve that this movie has only rented seven times in the video store i work in. It is the best drama iv'e seen in a long time great acting from everybody especially Paul Sorvino. It will make think about your life and what happens when you get close to too 40. And also being betrayed by your closest friends

Average customer rating:

Combines two other sports movie giftsets plus 8 additional films

The Ultimate Sports Giftset

Manufacturer: MGM
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Customer Reviews:

Combines two other sports movie giftsets plus 8 additional films.......2007-03-17

This bundle combines two very good sports giftsets:
The Grand Slam Giftset -(Bull Durham/Pride of the Yankees/Eight Men Out/Jackie Robinson Story)
Sports Giftset - (Bull Durham / Hoosiers / Raging Bull / Rocky )
This total of seven movies are five star films, and if your interests are mainly baseball, or you prefer the finest films from several sports, you might be better off getting just one of these two giftsets. However, this Ultimate Sports Giftset also has several good films not included in these other two giftsets, such as the more watchable sequels in the Rocky series - Rocky II and Rocky III, along with That Championship Season, and Diggstown, which is an unusual vehicle for James Woods and Lou Gossett Jr. that did end up working well for both of them. Also included is a rarely seen documentary film from 1970 entitled "AKA Cassius Clay", which has Ali talking about his career with his usual verbal wit along with some great footage of Ali's early career fights.

Finally, there are three films in the turkey category that get slipped into the total package. "Monkey on My Back" is a 1957 film that was supposed to be about fighter Barney Ross. The movie is bad, but the accuracy must have been even worse, because Ross sued the producers of this film over the content and won. "Body and Soul" is not the classic version starring John Garfield. Instead this is the poor 1998 pseudo-remake. There's plenty of bad acting to go around in this movie, and even the good actors seem to think they're all performing in different films. Worst of the pack is the 2002 version of Rollerball. Like many of the 23-year-olds that make today's films, the producers of this remake of the 1975 classic just don't get that the original was great because of its portrayal of futuristic society, not because of violent action scenes. Weighing the good with the bad, this set is probably worth purchasing for the 12 good films in the bunch.

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