Director: Ryan Little (Saints and
Soldiers, House of Fears)
Writers: David Pliler (Outlaw
Trail: The Treasure of Butch Cassidy), Dony West (song)
Starring: Sean Faris (Never Back
Down; Yours, Mine & Ours), Neal McDonough (Captain America: The First
Avenger, Flags of Our Fathers), Gary Cole (Pineapple Express, Talladega Nights:
The Ballad of Ricky Bobby), Sean Astin (Rudy, The Goonies)
When my football playing career was over, a friend
invited me to a rugby match at UCM to see if I’d be interested in joining the
team. About 10 minutes into the
game, a Mules player was tackled and his scalp peeled back. So ended my interest in being a rugby
player. But now, whenever I watch
a movie about rugby or a match, I wish I had taken that chance. So it was with great hope that I turned
on “Forever Strong”. It did not
disappoint.
Rick Penning (Faris) is a mess. The superstar
rugby wing is carrying the hopes and dreams of his entire team. He also
is playing for his father (McDonough), for whom sportsmanship and compassion
are foreign terms. And he is a bit self destructive; his second DUI before the
age of 18 lands him in a juvenile detention center where he meets Marcus Tate
(Astin). Tate introduces the sullen young Penning to Coach Larry Gelwix (Cole),
coach of the revered Highland Rugby team, who in turn introduces Penning to a
new way of thinking—and listening.
This movie is based on a true story, and it really
demonstrates that one person can make a difference. It is a story of
forgiveness, the complicated relationship between fathers and sons (this relationship
is more complex than most), and the brotherhood and bonds that form through
competition. It is also an
emotional story. I found myself getting angry at Penning and then cheering for
him. I cried for him, for his team
and for his family. It even had a little humor, supplied primarily
through the high jinx so often associated with team sports.
“Forever Strong” is also a subtle story of faith,
led by Gelwix. That obviously
resonated with me. Gelwix prays
for his team, preaches honesty and clean living (no drinking or drugs or
inappropriate behavior with the ladies), and forgiveness. Penning admits to drug use and a
teammate confesses to cheating.
Both are disciplined but welcomed back with open arms, ala the Prodigal
Son. He is the kind of teacher I
want to be. His famous quote:
“It’s not about rugby, it’s about young men.
It’s not about building a championship team. It’s about building
championship boys. Boy’s who are forever strong.”
That’s my idea of a great teacher and a great
coach.
On the down side, the movie starts REALLY slowly, the
only real rugby action coming at the end.
But then, it is also a bit refreshing to have a sports movie that didn’t
rely solely on action to drive the story.
And it took some time to demonstrate just how mixed up Penning really
is. After all, “Forever Strong” is
more about Penning becoming a man than becoming a rugby champion. Now, what DOES happen too quickly are some
of the action sequences. I get
that rugby is a fast-paced, action-packed game. But when players are running out of the frame and out of
focus, it makes it extremely difficult to enjoy the film.
Penning’s transformation to team player and
committed Highland hook also seemingly happens overnight. One minute he has quit the team and
given up on Gelwix’s teachings, and the next, thanks to a good-natured early
morning run with his teammates, he is chosen team captain.
Faris, though a bit stiff acting, does a fine job leading
the film. He shows little
emotional range, but his timing is good and he is built like a rugby player, so
he is believable in the role. Cole
brilliantly plays the patient, caring coach determined to transform young
men. And McDonough, one of my
favorite character actors, is outstanding as Penning’s hard, bristly
father.
While there is some underage drinking and drug use
(essential to the story, but probably making this movie inappropriate for young
audiences), it is not the typical coming of age movie with lots of gratuitous
sexuality.
“Forever Strong” embodied everything I love about
sports, especially the idea that, through trusting in teammates and pushing
beyond what we think is possible, we can achieve greatness. I highly recommend it.
"Forever Strong" Trailer
