Back To Index Miracle
 Barnes & Noble An inspiring story drawn from real-life events surrounding the 1980 Winter Olympics, Miracle provides Kurt Russell with the best starring role hes had in years. The erstwhile child star, best known as Escape from New Yorks Snake Plissken (or perhaps as Mr. Goldie Hawn), portrays Herb Brooks, the veteran hockey player turned coach charged with assembling the U.S. team for the 1980 Games. The United States had not been competitive in Olympic hockey for two decades, a period during which teams from the USSR dominated international play. The task had a special resonance for Brooks, because he had been the last player cut from the American team that won the 1960 Olympic gold. A handsome Hollywood star whose boyish looks once made him a teen idol, Russell is totally convincing as the grizzled, hard-boiled coach. He has the character nailed with regard to superficial things -- Brookss hopelessly square buzz-cut and plaid jackets, his Minnesota accent, his no-nonsense manner -- but he also seems to have internalized the coachs feelings. The real Brooks, who died in a car crash shortly after the films completion, consulted extensively with Russell. Sports movies these days tend to focus on the young team members, who only seem to pull together after experiencing some kind of trauma. Everything builds to the Big Game. But Miracle is different because it focuses on Brooks, who inspires awe and commands respect precisely by remaining aloof from his players. He isnt an avuncular figure; he drives the would-be Olympians hard and takes no advice from well-meaning but essentially useless hangers-on. Its not that the film doesnt have well-drawn supporting characters: Noah Emmerich is fine as Herbs assistant coach, and Eddie Cahill stands out as Jim Craig, the team’s spirited goalie. But this is Russells show, and director Gavin OConnor knows it. Despite the movie-ready true story, Miracle avoids many of the clichés you typically see in sports movies, and even during the well-staged hockey sequences it remains fixed on its principal character. Thankfully, that character is extremely well drawn in the script and portrayed with gusto by a much-underrated actor. Ed Hulse Interested in the song lyrics? - Check out themostlyrics.com! Looking For A DVD? - Check out dvd-a-rama.com! |
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