shue fits family into girl-power soccer story
(Re-posted after a premature review ran two weeks ago. whoops.)
Before she became a movie star, Elisabeth Shue was a New Jersey girl who excelled at soccer. Her experience inspired “Gracie,” a feel-good youth-sports picture about a determined young woman who breaks the gender barrier on her high school playing field.
Talented teenager Carly Schroeder stars as Gracie Bowen, a gifted young athlete who almost lets a tragedy derail her school and social lives. Even her own soccer-crazed father (Dermot Mulroney) is afraid to let his girl compete against boys — so of course we know that he will eventually relent, coaching and encouraging his gutsy daughter on her quest for goal-kicking equality.
“Gracie” is a family film in more ways than one. Shue co-stars as Gracie’s mother, her brother Andrew Shue plays the local soccer coach, and Shue’s husband, Davis Guggenheim (”An Inconvenient Truth”), directs with energetic flair and just the right amount of lump-in-the-throat emotion for the mandatory big-game finale.
Schroeder’s performance propels the film beyond its familiar plotting. She’s not only attractive and expressive, but her athletic ability also comes through: There is very little need for stunt doubles.
Working within a formulaic framework, the filmmakers deliver an inspiring, enjoyable variation on the theme. Despite a PG-13 rating for sexual references, “Gracie” merits attention from young athletes of either gender.
We give “Gracie” a B.
For more movie fun, trailers, and video reviews, go to BobRossMovies.com
Tags: film, review
Loading ...
