The
Replacements (2000)
During the first 15 minutes or so of
"The Replacements," you're thinking... This is a piece
of crud. You have plenty of time to decide - once
and for all - that Howard Deutch couldn't direct his
way out of a wet paper bag. You have time to wonder
if it's too late to go back to the box office and
ask for a refund. And then a remarkable thing begins
to happen, the film starts to shape into an enjoyable
summer movie. Soon your giggling at some of the funny
moments in the film. Then you start to get into the
characters. And then you start to laugh out loud,
guffaw even, at some of the jokes and comically inspired
moments here. You really grow to care for the stereotypical
characters and to enjoy the film.
Yes, it's shaky ground at first. The
film starts at a snail's pace and takes 15 minutes
to get it's legs. The characters are introduced fairly
rapidly and they seem like every stereotype under
the sun. There's the Bible thumper, the Asian guy
Sumo wrestler, the big fat black thugs with gold chains,
the cute young deaf guy, the Welsh reject from "Trainspotting"
who loves soccer, the black "Huggy Bear" wannabee
that you think is gay - but it turns out he's not
gay - except maybe he's gay. And there's Keanu. Well,
at least he's a stereotype unto himself.
Then there's the introduction of the
obvious bad guys, the obvious love interest and the
obvious foregone conclusion that the good guys are
going to win here. It's some tough obstacles to overcome.
And yet the film truly begins to win us over. Or,
at least, we find it easier to give ourselves over
to it.
Part of the attraction to loosen up
and give the film a chance is the segments with the
"replacement cheerleader" tryouts early in the film.
This is just some damn funny stuff. And we really
don't expect this as part of the film. Of course,
it's never really explained or given true script towards,
but the segments still standout. With several "Cheerleader"
films due from Hollywood soon, it makes one wonder
if those full length features can live up to the subplot
moments here.
I'm not saying that the film is a masterpiece,
not by any stretch of the imagination. It's just an
enjoyable summer flick with some rather amusing comedy
and a some football action. The good guys are obvious,
the outcome is typical and yet we still cheer. I couldn't
help but like the film. Sue me.
Sure, it's not for everyone. This is
not for whiners or the art house crowd. But there's
hot cheerleader chicks for those who like women, cute
football players for the rest of us, and some goofy
funny moments for those of us who like to laugh. There's
some cool rock and roll songs, the typical "sports"
rockers like Gary Glitter's "Rock and Roll" and Queen's
"We Are the Champions." There's a cover of Bowie's
"Heroes" and Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive." (Hey...
did a gay guy pick these songs?).
Keanu is Keanu. Gene Hackman is Gene
Hackman. Nobody really overcomes any preconceived
notions of their acting skills or their characterizations.
Well, except... The only notable performance is Jon
Favreau of "Swingers" and "Friends" fame who really
steps outside of what we expect of him and provides
an odd, almost silent, maniac. It's a pleasant surprise
no doubt. And Brooke Langton as the love interest
is quite nice too. She's one of those women that you
just like automatically, you understand why any guy
with sense would be attracted to her, and you want
her to get Keanu. It's saves Deutch and scripter Vince
McKewin from having to really make a character for
her. We just instantly like her. It's intuitive.
"The Replacements" is exactly the film
you expect it to be, if you just give it a few moments
to get going. Like the ragtag band of losers that
make up it's cast of characters, it takes some time
for everything to come together and click. In the
end, it's no championship season, but it's a pleasant
diversion for the fans nonetheless.
Note:
Also with Jack Warden, Orlando Jones,
David Denman, Gailard Sartain, John Madden, and Pat
Summerall.
D of P is Tak Fujimoto. Why?
The songs of The Rolling Stones seem
to pop up occassionally in the film.
Although this film take it's inspiration
from a 1987 event, it is set in the present.
Other football films: "The Longest
Yard," "Semi-Tough," "Any Given Sunday," "Jerry Maguire,"
"The Waterboy," "Wildcats," "Ace Ventura," "All the
Right Moves," "The Best of Times," "Black Sunday"
"Brian's Song," "Heaven Can Wait" (also starring Warden),
"The Last Boy Scout," "Necessary Roughness," "North
Dallas Forty," and "Varsity Blues."
Keanu has 3 other films slated for
a 2000 release include "Sweet November," "The Gift"
and "The Watcher" (AKA "Driven"), the latter of which
is schedule to be released just 3 weeks after "The
Replacements."
Deutch's next film is slated to be
a feature length film based on the 60's TV series
"Family Affair."
