Forever Strong

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