Kicking and Screaming

Being a powerful, influential member of the new media (yeah right, but hey, I can dream can't I?), I was invited by Grace Hill Media to a preview screening of the new Universal Pictures movie Kicking and Screaming. The movie stars Will Ferrell, Robert Duvall, and of all people, Mike Ditka. That's right, Da Bears Mike Ditka.

We were certainly not alone at the screening. Along with half the soccer playing kids in Orange County who squirmed all over the theater, the VIP press section included fellow So Cal Bloggers' Alliance members Matthew Anderson and Keith Buhler of Mere-Orthodoxy, and Stacy Harp of Media Soul (among her many ventures).

The movie is basically a Bad News Bears Play Soccer kind of picture, featuring Ferrell as the hapless coach of a hapless team who finds himself facing off against his aggressively competitive father played by Duvall. Ditka plays Duvall's neighbor and arch enemy and is recruited to help Ferrell coach his team. Ditka's not a professional actor, but playing himself he did okay.

Along the way Ferrell transforms himself from a teary-eyed mousy guy totally intimidated by his father, to soccer's version of Woody Hayes who berates and even hits kids on the opposing team. He's helped along the way by generous helpings of coffee and two imported Italian soccer ringers who basically become a two man team with the remaining players ordered to get the ball to the Italians.

Of course the movie can't end like that. At halftime of the final game against his father's team Ferrell sees the light, changes his ways, and makes nice with the team and the kid's parents. His team wins and everybody lives happily ever after.

Despite the predictability of the plot, the movie was paced well and there wasn't really anything objectionable that wouldn't be appropriate for a family. They did have a lesbian couple who were the parents of a cute Korean kid, but it was pretty much played for laughs. There weren't any political statements being made with that plotline.

If you like soccer, a game whose allure I'll never understand, you'll enjoy the soccer sequences which feature the talented Italians showing off their moves. Mrs. HolyCoast noticed that the kids in the crowd because noticeably quieter when the soccer scenes were shown, so my guess is that all you soccer moms and kids will enjoy this movie.

All in all, it was an entertaining movie. Not as good a star turn for Ferrell as "Elf", but not bad. The movie opens May 13th.