December 30, 2008.

Best Basketball Doc Since Hoop Dreams.

Rating: 4

THE HEART OF THE GAME How is it that even sports documentaries seem to end with the great film cliché, "The Big Game"? You know how it works: you start with the scrappy underdogs that don't have a chance. Then that key player or coach comes in and turns every thing around and suddenly there is a chance to be champions. But it all hinges on that last big event when the whole world seems to be watching.
Maybe it's because that last pass, shoot or race can still put a lump in the throat and tear in the eye of even the most hardened of sports fans and movie goers. The Heart of the Game, a documentary about a girl's high school basketball team, the Roosevelt Rough Riders of Seattle, Washington, follows a new coach as he builds the team over seven years.
Ward Serrill, the film maker, could not have known he would end up with the aforementioned cliché when he began the project, but he must have been thrilled when it came about. Bill Resler, the college economics professor who became the team's coach, dreamed about the cliché of the big game and had to live through turmoil until "the big game" came about. And that turmoil, particularly the trials of two star players, Devon and Darnella, provides much of the drama for the viewer.
I highly recommend it for the sporting thrills, social commentary and unexpected humor (archive footage of early twentieth century woman's basketball. And you thought the guys used to have funky uniforms).

December 25, 2008.

Art, Miami.

Rating: 4
I caught the last half of this documentary on cable and was immediately mesmerized. It's a wonderful story of persistence and the fact that it plays out over a six year period makes it all that more fascinating.

December 13, 2008.

Heart of the Game.

Rating: 4
This is a great movie as far as life lessons and high school sports go. I coach girls basketball and plan on having everyone watch this film. There is something valuable in almost every word or situation that occurs.

December 03, 2008.

Great films that makes you ask some questions.

Rating: 4
This was a wonderfully engrossing film, a real find. I think Coach Resler was absolutely right in getting his female players to attack ferociously and not avoid contact, he had half the battle won already. But in thinking about the film after seeing it, I was left with some troubling questions:

1. While it seems clear that Darnellia Russell should have received a hardship year after being away from school with her baby, I'm surprised whe wasn't suspended or removed from the team for earlier transgressions. Going into the crowd, for one.

2. The players' extensive use of profanity is not consistent with Coach Resler's image of imparting life lessons.

3. How could the Coach or the other players not have been clued in to Devon Crosby-Helms' troubles with Tony Giles?

4. I'm struck by how worn out and tired Coach Resler looks by the end of the film. He didn't look or sound like the same guy anymore.

Those questions notwithstanding, this film was well worth seeing. Strongly recommended.

December 21, 2007.

A must see for anyone interested in sports for young women.

Rating: 4
I read the book "The Heart of the Team" first. That was excellent. I think you get more out of the book. However, it was wonderful to see some live footage of the team playing in the movie. I think anyone interested in coaching women's sporting teams should watch this movie and read the book. If only because it is fun and inspiring. Way to go Bill!!! This movie is a documentary, so it didn't capture my five year old daughter's interest like "Bend It Like Beckham" did. It would be nice to have more movies available to inspire young girls to enjoy sports.