Inspirational films have hit the multiplexes more in the last decade than Hollywood has produced in the last three decades. As I've mentioned in previous reviews, I believe it's a backlash of societal problems gripping this culture. We've seen "Courageous", "Soul Surfer", "A Dolphin Tale", the recent "I Can Only Imagine" to mention a handful, but now we have "The Miracle Season" to add to that ever growing list.
Based on the inspiring true story of West High School girls' volleyball team, this centers on the loss of the school's star player and captain of the team, Caroline 'Line' Found (Danika Yarosh) due to a tragic Moped accident. Even though the rest of the players including her best friend, Brie (Tiera Skovbye), Kelley (Erin Moriarty), and Mack (Natalie Sharp) are so devastated over the loss of their captain and good friend, these remaining players must eventually band together under the guidance of their tough-love coach, Kathy Bresnahan (Helen Hunt) in hopes of winning the state championship.
Others to round out the cast are William Hurt as Ernie Found, Caroline's father, Rebecca Staab as Bethany, Burkeley Duffield as Kelley's boyfriend, Natalie Sharp as Mack, Jason Gray-Stanford as Scott Sanders, assistant coach, Lillian Fargey as Ellyn Found, Caroline's mother and Nesta Cooper as Lizzie Ackerman.
This was directed with heart by Sean McNamara ("Hollywood Chaos" '89, "The Legend of Galgameth" '96, "P.U.N.K.S." '99, "Race to Space" '01, "Raise Your Voice" '04, "Bratz" '07, "Soul Surfer" '11, "Space Warriors" '13, "Spare Parts" '15, "Hoovey" '15, "Field of Lost Shoes" '15, "Love in Paradise" (TV movie) '16) and others, TV and videos. This filmmaker is certainly no stranger to the 'inspirational' realm what with "Soul Surfer" and "Spare Parts" under his belt, and his ability to mix emotion and drama without in being schmaltzy is amazingly done well. He is an incredibly busy guy with films in post production and being announced, and with this film it's no surprise. It was solidly written by David Aaron Cohen and Elissa Matsueda. These writers have a fair amount of experience between the two of them, and it shows is this cohesive, tight and well thought out script. The reactions of the players of their friends' death was honest, fresh and realistic, and Hunt's character, Kathy wasn't the typical, caring coach, rather she was a hurting individual with issues. Other than a couple of very small slow places in script, this storyline was spot on.
Certainly if you like inspirational films, you'll be in heaven, but if you aren't, you will like this story because it will make you stand up and cheer. Ever so often, these type of films are good for the soul, and in this day and age, we all could use a story like this to see that we are all much needed to connect with each other.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: PG 100mins.
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