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Longshot
Scrappy soccer
underdogs move up a rung.
By Lois
Wadsworth
A SHOT AT GLORY: Directed by Michael
Corrente. Written by Denis O'Neill. Produced by Rob Carliner, Michael Corrente and
Robert Duvall. Executive producers Steven Bowman, Billy Heinzerling and Denis O'Neil.
Cinematography, Alex Thomson. Editor, David Ray. Original music, Mark Knopfler. Production
design, Andy Harris. Costumes, Trisha Biggar. Starring Robert Duvall, Michael Keaton,
Ally McCoist and Kirsty Mitchell, with Brian Cox, Libby Langdon, Cole Hauser and
Morag Hood. Revere Pictures. Butchers Run Films, 2000. MAC Releasing, 2002.R. 114
minutes.
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Jackie McQuillan (real-life soccer
star Ally McCoist) and Gordon McLeod (Robert Duvall) have different goals.me,
. |
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A Shot at Glory gets my award for accumulating the worst luck
of the year. First off, this little film about a small fishing village's soccer team
competing for the Scottish Cup had its world premiere at the 2000 Toronto International
Film Festival, where films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Sexy
Beast, House of Mirth and Almost Famous also opened. The New
York Times archives show no record of a review, so it's fair to assume that no
one from the paper saw the movie.
What's in a name? Plenty. This movie has been known by three other
names earlier in its history: The Cup, Road to Glory and The Cup
Final. One of the Cups would have been better than A Shot at Glory,
which sounds like a basketball movie to American ears, but The Cup was already
taken by a film about a soccer-loving group of young monks at a Tibetan Buddhist
monastery in Bhutan, which played in Eugene in April 2000. Same game, different continent.
A fair number of film companies have been associated with the film
over time as well: Butcher's Run Films, Revere Pictures, United International Pictures,
Seven Arts International, Fireworks Picture and MAC Releasing (it's their first film).
We're grateful to Bumble, Ward & Associates, publicists for Revere Pictures,
for sending us electronic photos. Thursday May 16, the day this paper comes out,
is also Shot at Glory's last play date at Movies 12. If you're reading this
on Friday or later, catch it on the small screen.
Even in the best of times, the film would have been hard to sell
to U.S. audiences, who are notoriously stupid about the game of soccer, which I find
the only competitive sport worth watching live or on television. A small town team
such as Kilnockie could vie for the Scottish Cup because the system allows one lower
league team into the finals each year. With strong players and a pinch of good luck,
the underdog can actually make it through a succession of playoffs to win the final
game and score the cup. The soccer in this film is thrilling to watch, especially
when Ally McCoist, who plays an arrogant star named Jackie McQuillan, is on the field.
In reality McCoist is a famous Scottish soccer player, who also hosts a sports TV
show.
Everything depends on team manager Gordon McLeod (Robert Duvall).
The American owner of the club, Peter Cameron (Michael Keaton), wants the cup or
else he will move the team to Dublin. Cameron hired McQuillan despite his bad boy
image and the bad blood between him and McLeod. It's personal. McQuillan and McLeod's
daughter, Kate (Kirsty Mitchell), married, had a child and split up. Now McLeod doesn't
speak to Kate and is in no mood to treat McQuillan like the team's savior.
Duvall is predictably wonderful, while McCoist is surprisingly
good. Denis O'Neil's script is a notch above. Camaraderie among the players reminded
me of the team spirit of the unemployed men in The Full Monty. Plays its last
night at Movies 12 on Thursday, May 16. See it if you can.
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Portrait
of Denial
Keeping the memory
alive.
By Lois
Wadsworth
UNDER THE SAND (France, 2001): Directed
by François Ozon. Written by Ozon, Emmanuelle Bernheim, Marcia Romano, Marina
de Van. Produced by Olivier Delbosc, Marc Missonnier. Cinematography, Antoine Héberlée,
Jeanne Lapoirie. Editor, Laurence Bawedin. Music, Philippe Rombi. Production design,
art direction by Sandrine Canaux. Costumes, Pascaline Chavanne. Starring Charlotte
Rampling, with Bruno Cremer, Alexandra Stewart, Jacques Nolot and Andree Tainsy.
WinStar Cinema Release, 2001. VHS, DVD. Not rated. 95 minutes.
 |
|
Jean (Bruno Cremer) and Marie
Drillon (Charlotte Rampling) stop on their way to the beach house.me,
. |
|
When Under the Sand was released theatrically last summer,
many critics reviewed it in glowing terms and marveled that at age 55, Charlotte
Rampling is so beautiful and trim. The film never showed here. That's too bad, because
as a multilayered study of grief, the picture uses Rampling's maturity in the best
way possible. A younger actress might not be so convincing as the devoted wife of
an overweight, not particularly good looking husband. European directors are much
more in touch with reality than American directors, who never think to create a great
role for women actors of that age.
As the film opens, Marie (Rampling) and Jean (Bruno Cremer) are
preparing for a vacation at their house on the beach. Jean seems somewhat detached
on the drive, but perhaps he's just road-weary. Marie is pretty chipper. They move
in, have dinner and retire early. The next morning, they walk to the beach, where
Jean lovingly slathers sun tan lotion on Marie. He asks if she's ready for a swim,
but she wants to read her book and catnap. She wakes suddenly, realizes it's late
and calls for Jean. She sits up. He's nowhere in sight. She walks down the beach,
talks to a couple who haven't been there long. She becomes worried, a bit frantic,
more and more agitated. She drives to a station to report him missing. Officials
make a thorough search but find no trace of Jean.
After these unsettling sequences, we don't know what to think.
Like Marie, we can't believe Jean has just disappeared. And like trained movie goers,
we believe that at least we, if not Marie, will learn what has become of him. But
we don't.
As in real life, happy endings don't happen. Outside of fictional
literature, theater or film, endings of any sort are rare. The end of childhood,
the end of a friendship or the end of a marriage are frequently moments recognized
only later if at all. The sudden death of a loved one is a mystery seldom emotionally
resolved. Here French director François Ozon creates a mood similar to the
ambiance of uncertainty that suffuse Krzysztof Kieslowski's unforgettable Blue
(1994), Bernardo Bertolucci's Besieged (1999) and John Sayles's Limbo (1999).
This is a film worth savoring. Perform-ances are outstanding, with
Rampling always centered and subtle. Cremer is a rumpled figure even in a bathing
suit; Jacques Nolot is persuasive as Marie's lover; Andree Tainsy is splendid as
the mad mother-in-law who tells Marie things she doesn't want to know; and Alexander
Stewart is a colleague and friend who wants to help Marie. Lovely.
Back to Top
OPENING OR
RETURNING:
Films open the Friday following date of EW publication unless
otherwise noted.
About a Boy: Nick Hornby's popular British novel about a rich
London rake (Hugh Grant) who invents an imaginary son to meet women who are single
parents. But instead he finds a troubled boy (Nicholas Hoult), who teaches him to
grow up. Directed by Chris and Paul Weltz, it also stars Toni Collette, Rachel Weisz.
PG-13. Cinemark.
How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1999): Bruce Robinson's
high-energy satire about an advertising exec who desperately tries to sell a pimple
cream that he quits the biz stars Richard E. Grant. R. At 7 pm on 5/16 in 180 PLC.
Free.
I Am Sam: Sean Penn plays a mentally-challenged single parent
raising his daughter. Michelle Pfeiffer plays an attorney who takes his case when
the girl is put in foster care by social services. Extraordinary performance by Penn,
who received an Academy nod. PG-13. Movies 12. See review.
Italian for Beginners: A Dogma '95 film, this light, romantic
comedy written and directed by Lone Scherfig interweaves the stories of six insecure
Copenhagen singles. R. Bijou.
Other Side of Heaven, The: Mormon missionary goes to 1950s
Tongan Islands to bring naive natives into the bosom of the church. Inspired by John
Groberg's memoir In the Eye of the Storm, The New York Times review
says: "any resemblance between its characters' behavior and real people are
glancing." PG. Cinema World.
Resident Evil: Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez play
commando leaders trying to save the world in this action thriller based on the video
game. R. Movies 12.
Sam Bond's Garage Film Festival: Local filmmaker Craig Mahaffy
(Rant) coordinated this film fest May 19 and 20 at Sam Bond's Garage. From
23 experimental, narrative, animation and documentary films received, 13 were selected
by judges Andrew Pratt, Michael Majic and Kate Sullivan for showing. A precursor
to a national festival upcoming June 27-29 at the Bijou. Same films to be shown both
nights, 7:30 pm - 11:30 pm.
Solaris (Russia, 1972): Andrei Tarkovsky's 167 minute attempt
to outdo Stanley Kubrick's 2001 is talky, intellectual sci-fi that works as
a beautiful soporific. Important only because of Tarkovsky's significant contributions
to world cinema. Not rated. At 7 pm on 5/21 in 122 Pacific. Free.
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron: Animated Western adventure
with the voices of Matt Damon, James Cromwell and Daniel Studi is an action picture,
not a comedy. Co-directed by Kelly Asbury and Lorna Cook. G. Sneak 3 pm 5/19. Cinemark.
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones: George Lucas' second of
three Star Wars' prequels comes to the screen with Hayden Christensen, Natalie
Portman, Ewan McGregor, Ian McDiarmid and Samuel Jackson doing all the heavy lifting.
PG. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Triumph of Love: Clare Peploe's English-language film, co-produced
by hubby Bernardo Bertolucci, of an 18th century Italian romantic, comic novel stars
Mira Sorvino. As a quick-change princess, she successfully beguiles a prince (Jay
Rodan) and everyone in his household, including Ben Kingsley and Fiona Shaw at their
best. PG-13. Bijou.
CONTINUING
Beautiful Mind, A: Inspired by the true story of a mathematical
genius who battles mental illness, Ron Howard's film stars Russell Crowe, Ed Harris
and Jennifer Connelly. Academy Awards for supporting actress, directing, best picture,
and writing. Highly recommended. PG-13. Movies 12. See review.
Big Fat Liar: Frankie Muniz ("Malcolm in the Middle")
tries to prove sleazy Hollywood producer (Paul Giamatti) turned his class paper into
a hit movie. Directed by Shawn Levy. PG. Movies 12.
Black Hawk Down: Ridley Scott directs this true story based
on the mission-gone-wrong of American special forces in Somalia, 1993. Stars Josh
Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Ron Eldard and Sam Shepard. AFI award for best picture,
2001. R. Movies 12. See
review.
Blade 2: Directed by Guillermo del Toro, who also directed
Devil's Backbone. But there the resemblance ends. Wesley Snipes stars in this vampire
horror flick. R. Movies 12.
Changing Lanes: Starring Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson
as, two men who meet in a minor car accident and set out to destroy each other's
lives. Directed by Roger Mitchell and produced by Scott Rudin. R. Cinemark. Cinema
World.
Count of Monte Cristo, The: Alexandre Duma's classic tale
of wrongful imprisonment and revenge stars Jim Caviezel, Dagmara Dominczyk, Guy Pearce
and Richard Harris. Scenes in prison are the film's best; much else is overblown.
PG-13. Movies 12. See
review.
Endurance, The: Documentary footage and contemporary interviews
with descendants of survivors of uncommonly gifted leader Ernest Shackleton's
1914-1916 star-crossed exploration of Antarctica. One of the great real adventures
of all time. Highest recommendations. G. Bijou. See
review.
Forty Days and 40 Nights: Josh Hartnett plays a high school
heartthrob who gives up all sex for 40 days and nights. Then the girl of his dreams,
played by Shannyn Sossaman, walks into his life. R. Movies 12.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Utterly faithful
to J.K. Rowling's book. Stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, John Cleese, Robbie
Coltrane and more. Directed by Chris Columbus. PG. Movies 12. See review.
Hollywood Ending: Woody Allen writes, directs and stars
in this contemporary romantic comedy starry Tea Leoni, Debra Messing, Treat Williams
and George Hamilton. Neurotic director works for ex-wife who dumped him for the studio
suit who's bankrolling the project. PG-13. Cinema World.
High Crimes: Ashley Judd plays a woman who finds out her
husband is not who he claimed to be. She and Morgan Freedman must defend him from
being framed by the military. PG 13. Movies 12.
Ice Age: Chris Wedge directs the voices of Ray Romano, John
Leguizamo, Denis Leary, and Goran Vizjnic in this digitally animated story of prehistoric
creatures trying to save a human child. G. Cinemark.
Life or Something Like It: Angelina Jolie stars with Edward
Burns, Tony Shalhoub, Stockard Channing and Christian Kane in Stephen Herek's cautionary
tale about learning to lead a meaningful life. R. Movies 12.
Lord of the Rings, The: The Fellowship of the Ring: The
first book in J. R. R. Tolkien's literary trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson stars
Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, Christopher Lee.
Academy Award winner for cinematography, makeup, and visual effects. Highest recommendations.
PG-13. Cinemark. See
review.
Monsoon Wedding: As a Punjabi family in Delhi gathers for
a wedding celebration, traditional and contemporary culture mix. Created by Mira
Nair (Salaam Bombay!), staring Naseeruddin Shah, Lillete Dubey and others.
R. Bijou. Also at 7 pm on 5/16 in International Center, EMU UO campus. Free. See review.
Murder by Numbers: Sandra Bullock stars in this detective
thriller which pits her against two clever teens (Ryan Gosling and Michael Pitt).
Produced by Bullock herself, and directed by Barbet Schroeder. R. Cinemark. Cinema
World.
New Guy, The: DJ Qualls plays high school senior who has
a chance to wipe the slate clean and reinvent himself. Comedy directed by Ed Decter
also stars Eliza Dushku, Zooey Deschanel, Lyle Lovett and Eddie Griffin. PG-13. Cinema
World. Cinemark.
Panic Room: David Fincher directs Jodie Foster, Forrest
Whitaker and Dwight Yoakam in this creepy thriller about a woman and her daughter
stuck in a room in their own home. R. Cinemark.
Return to Neverland: Disney animated tale of the rebellious
12-year old daughter of grown up Wendy (from Peter Pan). Pete's still around,
and he tries to help her. G. Movies 12.
Rookie, The: Dennis Quaid stars as baseball coach who makes
a deal with his team and ends up trying out for a minor league contract. Also with
Rachel Griffiths. G. Cinemark.
Scorpion King, The: Inspired by The Mummy Returns, this
thriller stars WWF's The Rock and is directed by WWF's The Mask, aka Eraser Chuck
Russell. The Rock plays a hired assassin trying to stop the evil ruler of the city
of Gomorra. Our bets are on him. PG 13. Cinemark.
Shot at Glory: First-run film stars Robert Duvall as a troubled
Scottish soccer coach, Kristy Mitchell is his estranged daughter, and Michael Keaton
is the team's owner. Also stars Brian Cox. R. Movies 12. Last showings 5/16. See review.
Sorority Boys: Barry Watson, Michael Rosenbaum and Harland
Williams play chauvinist college boys who can't afford rent. Their solution? Cross-dress
to save money by living in a sorority. R. Movies 12.
Spider Man: Tobey Maguire stars in Sam Raimi's film about
one of the most popular comic book superheroes to come to the screen. Also stars
Willem Dafoe as the Green Goblin, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary
Harris and J.K. Simmons. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. See review.
Time Machine: Guy Pearce (Memento) stars in this
remake of H.G. Welles sci-fi novel, directed by Simon Wells (The Prince of Egypt).
Creator of time machine is hurled 800,000 years into the future, where he finds there
are only hunters and the hunted. PG-13. Movies 12.
Unfaithful: From director Adrian Lyne (Fatal Attraction)
comes a film that plays on the fears of married people. Diane Lane plays a married
woman who has an affair (Oliver Martinez) that leads her husband (Richard Gere) to
become suspicious. Violence lurks. R. Cinema World. Cinemark.
MOVIE
THEATERS
Use the links provided below for specific show times.
Bijou
Art Cinemas
Bijou Theater 686-2458 | 492 E. 13th
Regal
Cinemas
Cinema World 342-6536 | Valley River
Center
Springfield Quad 726-9073 |
Cinemark
Theaters
Movies 12 741-1231 | Gateway
Mall
Movies before 12:30 are Sat. Sun. only. $1.50 all shows all days.
Cinemark 17 741-1231 | Gateway Mall
NEW RELEASES
ON VIDEO:
Releases subject to change. Available the Tuesday following date of
EW publication, sometimes sooner:
Aberdeen: Retired alcoholic (Stellan Skarsgard) and his drug-addicted daughter
(Lena Heady) travel to the deathbed of his estranged wife (Charlotte Rampling). She
puts him in treatment. Directed by Hans Peter Moland, this realistic film does not
romanticize serious alcoholism. Also stars Ian Hart. Not rated.
How High: Directed by Jesse Dylan, this comedy stars Method
Man, Redman, Obba Babatunde, Fred Willard, Mike Epps, Anna Maria Horsford, Spalding
Gray, Jeffrey Jones, Hector Elizondo, Lark Voorhies, Essence Atkins. The New York
Press called it "shameless and vulgar." R.
In the Shadows: Set in Hollywood, thriller involves a hit
man who is torn between his target and loyalty to a stunt man who died making a movie.
Stars: James Caan, Cuba Gooding Jr., Matthew Modine, Joey Lauren Adams. R.
L.I.E.: Michael Cuesta's beautifully directed and acted
story about male teen sexuality in the suburbs stars gifted newcomer Paul Franklin
Dano with the superb Brian Cox as a pedophile. No graphic sex. Highly recommended.
NC-17.
Lantana: Anthony LaPaglia plays a cop with a midlife crisis
in this Australian film about middle age and alienation. Also Geoffrey Rush, Barbara
Hershey and Kerry Armstrong. R. Bijou. See review.
Legend: Two-disc DVD includes Ridley Scott's previously
unreleased 113-minute director's cut with its original soundtrack by Oscar-winning
composer Jerry Goldsmith. 1985 fantasy stars Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, Tim Curry. PG.
On the Edge: Troubled teen (Cillian Murphy) meets a young
woman (Tricia Vessey) in a therapy group run by a doctor (Stephen Rea) in this comedy
directed by John Carney. R.
Vanilla Sky: Cameron Crowe directs this erotic thriller
starring Tom Cruise as a publishing executive who's misplaced his soul. Entertaining
but twisted tale of mutable identities, irreconcilable temporal dislocations and
mystifying parallel stories also stars Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Kurt Russell,
Jason Lee and Timothy Spall. Highly recommended. Best on second viewing. R. Cinemark.
See review.
Next week: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Rare
Birds, Slackers.
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