There is something comforting and appealing about “Champions” in that it’s the type of film that used to be multiplex mainstays in the ’80s and ’90s but now usually pops up on a streaming service’s carousel without much fanfare. Audiences need accessible and entertaining movies like this.
It’s an adaptation of the 2018 Spanish film “Campeones,” which drew its inspiration from a real-life team of people with intellectual disabilities. Irrespective of the location or the language, the themes are universal and relatable. In this version, Woody Harrelson plays Marcus, a fiery and disgraced minor-league basketball coach who finds himself in court and is ordered to do community service by the judge. What that involves is coaching The Friends, a team of players who, just like in the original movie, have intellectual disabilities.
It’s not hard to work out where the story goes, but instead of being saccharine and entirely predictable, it has enough of an edge, and issues on the table, to keep things interesting. Much of that is down to Mark Rizzo’s screenplay, which pulls some zingers out of the bag, not just for the cast audiences will know but also for the actor-athletes who make up the team.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a road to redemption sports comedy without a touch of romance. In “Champions,” that soon blooms between Harrelson’s gruff coach, who is desperate not to get attached to his new situation. That includes his ‘temporary’ team and Kaitlin Olson‘s Alex, someone he happened to have hooked up with for a one-night stand before Marcus found himself in court. Of course, neither of them expected to see the other again. However, the pair quickly cross paths again in the real world when it transpires that Alex is the sister of Johnny, one of the players Marcus is coaching. Aside from it being great for Olson to get the lead role in a comedy film, it’s incredibly satisfying to see how much of a natural fit she is. With a good script, her ability, and an air of Meg Ryan and Goldie Hawn about her, this shouldn’t be the last time she is afforded this kind of opportunity on the big screen. Olson’s more than ready, and it’s overdue.
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Ernie Hudson rounds out the ensemble cast as Phil, a fellow coach and Marcus’ friend who is full of wise words, along with Cheech Marin, who plays Julio, the janitor at the rec center where The Friends train and play. Both are the Jiminy Crickets on Marcus’ shoulder, desperately trying to make him see a better and more selfless way forward.
Add in the classic trope where the disgraced coach secretly plots that helping the team achieve their goal will ingratiate him to the fans and the industry and be his ticket out of there, and all the ingredients of the recipe are here. All anyone has to do now is do a good job of telling the story with well-rounded characters, hit the right beats, and touch the right emotional buttons, and thankfully director Bobby Farrelly does that. “Champions” is his first solo directorial feature, and while he has a string of iconic work on his resume working with his brother Peter, if this is a sign of what he’s planning to do on his own as a director, it’s a great start. It both ticks genre boxes and throws up some touches that elevate it, such as a car karaoke scene. While not groundbreaking, the audience will root for everyone here, both in front of and behind the camera.
It’s also almost impossible not to be charmed by The Friends themselves, a wisecracking bunch of characters who each contribute their own unique spark; in many cases, it is killer comedic timing or ability. It’s hard to single anyone out because everyone brings something, but special mention should go to Madison Tevlin, who plays Consentino, Joshua Felder, who plays Darius, Kevin Iannucci, who plays Johnny, and Bradley Edens, as Showtime.
While the direction and cinematography are simple, both are effective, but the music choice adds something extra, lifting the piece where needed. A handful of curated tracks from the likes of EMF and Chumbawamba add crackle to the soundtrack, but it’s actually singer-songwriter Michael Franti‘s original score that brings character and balance to the piece. Managing never to be overpowering or intrusive, something that can happen with a feel-good sports movie; hopefully, he’ll tackle more projects like this.
“Champions” might not be the first thing audiences consider when they head to the theater. However, it’s the kind of movie that, while still entertaining to enjoy at home, will benefit from being a shared theatrical experience. It’s a win. [B]
“Champions” arrives in theaters on March 10.
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