MIRACLE

4 STARS - INSPIRING

When a group of people creates a synergistic union that transcends any of their individual abilities, people call it a “Miracle.” Yet this truth, that a team of lesser players can beat the best gathering of all-stars simply because they learn to work well together, is a lesson of life that has spiritual and social implications. Based on the true story of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey team who defeated the Soviet Union for the first time in 20 years at the games in Lake Placid, NY, “Miracle” is an inspiring film that even non-sports enthusiasts can enjoy.

Transcending our usual idolizing of individual athletes whose resulting pride often causes them to not play well with others, Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) suggests that it is not the all-star professionals who can beat the well-oiled Soviet team, but rather a team of players who are not relying on individual skills but on team chemistry. Having won the national championship as a college coach, Brooks is given the opportunity to put his theory into practice when he is given seven months to mold young college-aged athletes into a team.

Driven both by his own desire to prove himself right as well as to compensate for having been cut from the Olympic team as a young player, Brooks is consumed by his task. When confronted by the loving wisdom of his wife Patty (Patricia Clarkson), he is barely able to pull himself back from the brink of fanaticism, though he still walks the edge of obsession.

Brooks’ assistant coach is Craig Patrick (Noah Emmerick) who plays the “friendly coach” to Brooks’ “demanding” coach. The tension of this relationship is skillfully shown after the first game when Brooks seems to lose all reason and demands his players to skate themselves to death in an after-game drill because of their cavalier attitude during the game. But this moment marks a major shift in the boy’s understanding of themselves and their team.

Until that night, when Brooks had asked them who they are and who they play for, they would give their name and the name of their college team. In the exhaustion of that moment, as all the players united in their common struggle with their demanding coach, one of the players breaks through the wall that had kept them distinct in their separate identities. He shouts to the coach his name and, when asked who he plays for, he yells “U.S.A!” This is the beginning weld that is then reinforced by Brooks as the team transforms into a “miraculous” unity.

As the team moves through the games of the Olympics, knowing the outcome of their quest does not lessen the tension of the journey. The reality that this group of young men could defeat a Soviet team that was the “best in the world” was a victory that not only lifted the sagging spirits of our nation at that time, but also lifts the souls of all of us watching. It is their relentless commitment and unfailing faith in their coach and each other that brought this “miracle” to life.

In a world of rabid individualism and the idolizing of athletes whose immorality is notorious, the power of community and the sacrifice it requires is a well-timed message for today.

Discussion:

When Brooks’ wife confronts him that his obsession to coach this Olympic team is unhealthy, he states that they had already “talked about it.” When she counters with the fact that not only did they “not talk about it” but that she wasn’t asked, he realizes he has lost himself in this desire. Have you ever lost yourself to a quest such as this and been willing to sacrifice spouse, children or friend?
Do you agree with Brooks’ methods for generating unity in the team by being brutally hard on the players, bringing in a player near the end of their preparation to make them stand up for their “family” and confronting an injured player for being a “quitter” just to fire up the whole team? What other ways would have been as effective to create unity?
In the game with the Soviets, their coach had never lost and so didn’t know how to pull the goalie out and execute a power play in the last minute of the game like Brooks had done earlier. Do you believe always winning can create its own form of weakness and vulnerability?
The film suggests that this event was needed by our nation due to years of difficulty and struggle. Do you agree? Can sporting events have that profound of an impact on a nation, or even on a segment of the nation? If you were alive and aware of the 1980 victory over the Soviet hockey team, did it lift your spirits?

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Cinema In Focus is a social and spiritual movie commentary. Hal Conklin is former mayor of Santa Barbara and Denny Wayman is pastor of the Free Methodist Church. For more reviews: http://www.cinemainfocus.com.