Commitment and Character Make “WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL” a Great Family Film

Opening  in theaters across America this weekend is a new sports film from Sony Pictures and Affirm Films, WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL.

But then again, it’s much more than a sports film.  WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL is a story about commitment and character and determination and love.

Inspired by a true story, the film tells the remarkable journey of legendary football coach Bob Ladouceur, who took the De La Salle High School Spartans from obscurity to a 151-game winning streak that shattered all records for any American sport.

Jim Caviezel stars as the dedicated coach who worked to create good men, to help the boys on his team become men of virtue, men who could be depended upon.  It just so happened that the positive virtues–tenacity, dependability, courage, sacrifice–transferred onto the football field with incredible result.

Confession:  I am not a sports fan; so it was a surprise to me that I truly enjoyed a sports film–a football film, no less, full of grunts and groans, whistles and cheers.  The story line was so important, though, that even a athletic agnostic like myself could enjoy the drama.  Meanwhile my husband, seated beside me, found the plays and the strategy of the game believable and entertaining.

But why not just show you what I mean?  Here, team captain Chris Ryan (played by Alexander Ludwig) explains that it’s not his abusive father who inspires him to play his best; he plays for his fellow teammates.

And here, a clip with Jim Caviezel and Laura Dern, who plays his wife.  She’s concerned that his schedule keeps him away from home, and she hopes he’ll accept an offer to coach a college team; but Coach Ladouceur is committed to the boys and senses that there, at high school level, he’s really helping to shape character.

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Last June, I had the privilege of interviewing Jim Caviezel about the film, and about the role that athletics had played in his own life.  CLICK HERE to read my interview with Caviezel, or to see the full movie trailer for WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL.

And mark your calendar now to see this great film on opening weekend!