When The Game Stands Tall

The longest wining streak in sports is not held by a professional team. It's held by a Catholic High School in Concord, California. It stands at a momentous 151 wins in a row. A movie could be made about that streak. About the strategy Coach Bob Ladouceur used and how he Coached his team to win for over ten years straight. But When the Game Stands Tall is not that movie. It focuses on when the streak ended. When the Coach and all his student were deeply challenged and how they learned from the defeat and pain of life and football.

I kind of already said the synopsis but for the sake of consistency: After 151 wins, over ten years worth, the varsity football team of De La Salle High School has lost. It comes shortly after their coach suffered a heart attack and one of their teammates was tragically killed in a shooting. Life and football are full of hard hits and in both its what you do after the hit that matters.

Just to cut to the chase: This is a great family movie. It's a true story, it's inspirational. Even if some moments are cliche one big moment comes at the end that is a genuine surprise. Alexander Ludwig and Micheal Chiklis almost steal the movie from the quiet performance of Jim Caviezel. It is like Facing the Giants....except better. A-