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Not only does "Miracle"
represent the best film Walt Disney Pictures has released since
"Heavyweights", it also serves as one of the best films
about a sport that has ever been crafted. From beginning to
end, "Miracle" is filled with depth, emotion, intensity,
and the kind of patriotism and love than made films like
"Hoosiers" and "The Natural" so memorable.
Carried by one of the best male performances from the past several
months, "Miracle" is the biggest surprise I have received
in a long time, and I would not be at all surprised if this was an
enormous success, both critically and commercially.
Kurt
Russell, in the performance of his career and of the year, stars as
Herb Brooks. In 1960, he was the last player cut from the U.S.
Olympic hockey team before they went on to win the gold medal.
Flash forward to 1980, and Brooks is offered the position of
coaching the U.S. hocky team. Doing things his way and never
admitting that the U.S. team can't beat the Soviets, Brooks led the
team to victory over a team that had won the gold the previous four
years, serving as the biggest upset in sports history. And,
considering this event took place right in the middle of the Cold
War, the victory also served as a sign that our side was better than
their side, no matter how grim things looked.
Kurt
Russell is simply amazing as Brooks. Never have I seen an
actor immerse himself so totally in such a role. Russell is
intense, believable, and absolutely spellbinding, much in the way
Charlize Theron was in "Monster". Look at a picture
of Russell in this film and then look at a picture of the real life
Herb Brooks -- the similarities are amazing. Patricia Clarkson
also delivers another stellar performance as Herb's adoring and
supportive wife. She just keeps on choosing the right roles,
one after another. She might just be the best, and most
underrated actress in Hollywood today. I also cannot forget a
cast of many young talents who comprise the U.S. hockey team.
They all did outstanding work.
This
film was directed by Gavin O'Connor, who also brought us the
enjoyable "Tumbleweeds". This is a huge departure
from the material in that film, but he manages to hold his own and
craft a wholly original film that leaves a warm feeling in our
chests. We have all heard the story, and we know how it is
going to end, but we soon realize that doesn't matter.
We can enjoy it just as much as if we didn't know the outcome.
Personally, I hope three things come from this film: (1) Kurt
Russell receives an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, after
being snubbed for an amazing, underrated performance in last year's
"Dark Blue", (2) this film is an enormous success for
Disney and for the people involved, and (3) everyone has a chance to
see this amazing films.
-- Billy
Ray (
4 out of 4 pops )
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