Against his will initially, Marcus (Woody Harrelson) winds up coaching a basketball team of people with a disability. You won’t believe it guys … he comes to love it! Truly, if a bunch of children yelled “he’s behind you!” in this film, as though they were watching a pantomime in London starring a washed up Neighbours cast member, it wouldn’t have been a surprise, such is this film’s predictability.
BUT! In spite of its predictability there is some real joy in Champions. I mean, how refreshing to see such a diverse cast of people with diverse abilities on the big screen! And the reminder, if a little twee, that pursuits like basketball aren’t all about winning is kinda good for the soul.
I am curious about what people with a disability think of this film and hoped to share some representative views with you but the review embargo lifted just one day before release so I haven’t been able to find any yet in that small window. All of which is to say… if people with disability have any objections to how they are portrayed in this film, we should listen.
Here’s a 3.5 star review in The Age of Champions if you want to read more. Probably a smidge generous for me … more like 3 here.
Champions opens 9 March, is rated M and runs 124 minutes.