An underdog story is always appreciated, and when mixed with a ‘feel good’ plot, it can make for an enjoyable occurrence. This is especially true when it’s about sports. The best underdog sports stories are true, but Hollywood occasionally produces a fiction film or two that are just as inspiring as the real world. Nearly twenty years ago, The Replacements was one such comedy that to this day still makes for a hilarious yet inspiring tale of getting a second chance and experiencing greatness. The Replacements would still take a few years to find an audience, but thankfully that’s where this blog can be of further assistance.
The Replacements is about a professional football team that decides to go on a strike.
Starring a fresh Keanu Reeves, and an on his way out of the game Gene Hackman, The Replacements is about a professional football team that decides to go on a strike. Owner Edward O’Neill sees no reason to drop out of the season, and so enlists the help of former coach Jimmy McGinty (Hackman) to assemble a team of ‘replacements’. McGinty then goes on to assemble a team full of ex college players, past potential pros, a sumo wrestler, and a soccer player, in order to form a squad that cares more about the sanctity of the game than about the money and prestige of being in the NFL. The cast is an all-star group, some of whom have gone on to have illustrious careers in the industry mainly that of Jon Favreau and Keanu Reeves who has, in the last few years, returned to moviemaking as a box office force.
It is an inspiring movie, but probably not one that’s going to have young men heading head first into the gym nor leave them with any interest of reliving the glory days, but it is enough. The plot is basic enough, the writing is plausible enough (particularly in the comedy department) the directing on Howard Deutch’s part is sound enough, and the story is formula enough to enjoy without a bother. The acting standouts are that of Rhys Ifans as Nigel also known as ‘the Leg’, and also John Favreau. Both offer a stellar comedic presence that offsets the plainness of the rest, and even Gene Hackman does as much in the more dramatic parts of the movie. Hackman, who is no stranger to coaching roles (Hoosiers) more than passes as a leader of the field that many will reminisce about from their own football playing days.
Sports fans will be more likely to migrate to a movie like this, and it has a certain vintage quality to it that others can appreciate if they haven’t already seen it. Amongst new viewers it’s sure to garner some laughs and even some relatable moments; more so to those watching who were former athletes themselves. Excluding that factor, it’s still a comedy that most anyone can enjoy and it doesn’t try too hard to be one thing more than another. Netflix is streaming it in select territories, so don’t hesitate to join the cult.
