Summer 1979. The United States continues to struggle after experiencing a rough decade. The Cold War, Vietnam, Watergate, the recession, gas rationing, the Iran Hostage Crisis and the death of Elvis have contributed to much despair.The Winter Olympics are only months away, and the U.S.A. hockey team doesn’t appear to have a chance of making it past the first round. Earning a medal, well, that’s just a dream. The Soviets, who have dominated the sport for 15 years, have just pounded the National Hockey League All-Star “Dream Team” 6-0.
The Olympic committee desperately needs an answer, and they search for the right coach. They discover Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell), a college hockey coach who was cut from the 1960 Olympic hockey team just days before the event. He is determined more than ever to dominate the hockey world and beat the Soviets.
Brooks changes the way Americans play the sport. He wants to build team hockey. Brooks pulls together 20 players, not necessarily selecting the best individual talents, but players who will work together on the ice. In just seven months, the team hustles through strenuous practices, setting them up for inevitable success.
Brooks turns a team of past rivals into a family. His obsession to lead the best hockey team, however, hurts his wife (Patricia Clarkson) and kids. But we do see some hope. He makes amends. His wife chooses to forgive him and stick by him.
Viewers will see the individual rivalries between teammates mold into a solid bond and the heartache of goalie Jim Craig (Eddie Cahill). Craig’s mother died before he made the team. Some players are cut from the team at the last minute, matching Brooks’ personal disappointment as a player.
Most of the film is set on the ice with intense, fast-paced competition. The conversations in the film are solid with only a few, mild obscenities and limited drinking. Since the film is truly realistic, this may come as a shock to most moviegoers. The acting players are real amateur hockey players.
One of the most touching and climactic scenes occurs when team captain Mike Eruzione (Patrick O’Brien Demsey), after exhausting drills following a tie with Norway before the Olympics, shouts that he does not play for his old college team anymore, but for the United States of America. Anyone watching with American pride will have difficulty holding back tears or wanting to yell “Yeah, buddy!” like I wanted to do. After Eruzione’s statement, Brooks finally decides to end the drills.
“Miracle” reminds us how great sports can be, especially as an underdog. “Miracle” will show even the biggest sports hater why many Americans love sports so much and why they mean so much. Like the Lake Placid, N.Y., crowd that initiated the famous Olympic chant, the movie will have you shouting: “U.S.A.! U.S.A.!” too.
The film, directed by Gavin O’Connor, includes montages of photos, video footage and voiceovers recalling the historical context of the movie’s time. The film maintains a decent amount of suspense, although most people watching it already know the outcome.
The Soviets defeated the Americans just three days before the Olympics 10-3, heightening the seeming impossibility for triumph. A stunning 4-3 victory does come, however, and Brooks became a true American sports hero. Unfortunately, the coach died while the film was being made. The film has been dedicated in his memory.
The movie also gives us something to ponder. As an avid sports fan, I enjoy watching professional athletes compete in the Olympics. After watching this movie, though, I wonder why professionals have been allowed to control so many Olympics sports during the past dozen years. The Olympics were created to honor amateurs who don’t play for money but for love of the game and pride for their nation. Brooks himself says it best: “The problem with the Dream Team is, you never get the dream.”
I was born in 1981, so I did not have a chance to witness the real event. I have, however, seen film of the final minutes of the game on ESPN thousands of times. Chills shiver down my spine each time ABC broadcaster Al Michaels shouts through the airwaves: “Do you believe in miracles?! Yes!”
A friend told me after we watched the movie: “This is definitely the feel-good movie of the year. Wow!” I couldn’t agree more. Because the event really happened adds so much more to it. The movie gives each of us a chance to believe once again. And that’s something we all need, maybe today more than ever.
Do you believe in miracles? I do.
Grade: A-
