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Miracle 2004 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Gavin O'Connor
min. (language, some rough sports action) |
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Starring: Kurt Russell, Eddie Cahill, Michael Mantenuto, Patrick O'Brien Demsey, Nathan West, Noah Emmerich, Patricia Clarkson
Producers: Mark Ciardi, Gordon Gray
Screenplay: Eric Guggenheim
Cinematography: Dan Stoloff
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Released: 2.06.04 (Wide) |
Rating:
  (out of ) |
"The Miracle on Ice," the stunning upset of the Soviet Olympic hockey team by the U.S. team in Lake Placid circa 1980,
was for many a defining moment (at least in the PR war) of the Cold War. The greatest upset in sports history came
at an opportune time for Americans, as the economy, gas prices, and a general feeling of despair swept through the nation
at the tail end of President Carter's only term in office. For one moment at least, the country had something to inspire
them to endure the myriad of troubles. Recreating the event, which includes sportscaster Al Michael's legendary
"Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" mantra, was a difficult task for director Gavin O'Connor, who had to balance an
accurate retelling with an appropriate backstory to make the endeavor worthwhile. By concentrating his picture on the man
that fashioned his team by sheer will power and a strong hand, Miracle gains a level of meaningful drama beyond
just the famous game itself.
That man was Herb Brooks, played with vigorous authenticity by the always underrated Kurt Russell, who took over a
program that had no answers to the Soviet machine on ice. The Soviets had grown men who had played with each other
for years, without really being challenged for the better part of a decade. The U.S. squad was made up of amateur collegians,
with an average age of 21. It was truly a David vs. Goliath proposition, thereby making the result nothing short of
jaw-dropping. Even more startling is the fact that this same Soviet team had dominated the U.S. team 10-3 only days before
the Olympic Games began. Brooks built his team with the idea that he was "looking for the right players, not the best ones."
He trained them much like boot camp in the Armed Services might incorporate; he broke them down to build them up again
as a team and not individuals. The film is as much about the hard work and sweat that transformed a talented group of
hockey players into a strong-willed, physically-fit hockey team afraid of no one.
The storyline focuses on Brooks' (who tragically passed away in a car accident just days after principal photography)
journey, from being offered the job to the rigorous recreation of the game itself. Despite his wife's (solidly portrayed
by Patricia Clarkson) concerns for his state of mind, Brooks pressed forward on his mission to bring Olympic glory
to the U.S. once again. He and his loyal assistant coach, Craig Patrick (Noah Emmerich), sort through the various
moments of controversy within the team, led by goal tender Jim Craig (Eddie Cahill), captain Mike Eruzione (Patrick O'Brien Demsey),
and the talented Jack O'Callahan (Michael Mantenuto). While Brooks' aloof nature was meant to focus the team's anger
toward himself in order to create on bond in the team, Patrick became confidant and friend to the team, giving insightful
information to Brooks whenever necessary. Part of the mystery surrounding the team's incredible success was Brooks'
distance from the team emotionally, which allowed him to make the tough decisions when the time came.
The screenplay, by Eric Guggenheim, is constructed through Brooks' perspective; indeed, his voice-over narrative at the
film's conclusion is more meaningful because we recognize how he feels because we've seen the picture through his lense.
Very little is done to develop characters beyond Brooks himself, and again that's for a purpose - to give the viewer a sense
of how Brooks dealt with his team. And the portrayal of the period is communicated with the simple black-and-white
stock footage and the mood of the time by a background speech by President Carter. The film also wisely avoids many
of the sports clichés that we've grown accustomed
to over the years, further cementing the importance of seeing the film through Brooks' perspective.
But in the end the film belongs to Russell. It's certainly one of his better efforts to date, fully internalizing how Brooks
thought and acted around his team and those associated with the Olympic program. Although the celebrated hockey game
draws considerable attention, it's Russell's Brooks that takes center stage. The film says as much as it stays focused on
Brooks during the wild celebration on the ice - he's shown backstage with a release of quiet emotion that communicates the years of
built up anticipation for this very event. It's the type of moment that all of us wish to experience at least once.
© 2004 Jonathan Cornwell
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 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
| Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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