When the Game Stands Tall

Jim Caviezel (yes, Jesus from Passion of the Christ) plays Coach Bob Ladouceur as a man more interested in building character than winning games — which is tricky when your team has won 151 straight. The film works best when it focuses on the philosophy behind the streak: Ladouceur's commitment cards, where players write down what they'll commit to rather than what they want to achieve. It's a subtle but powerful distinction. Michael Chiklis adds intensity as an overbearing father whose expectations are crushing his son. Laura Dern as the coach's wife is, as always, excellent in a role that doesn't give her enough to do. The football sequences are well-choreographed, and the moment the streak finally ends is handled with appropriate gravity. Where the film occasionally loses its way is in trying to give every player a subplot — some work (the player dealing with street violence), others feel generic. The faith elements are more understated than most entries on this list, which may be a pro or con depending on your preference. The real Ladouceur's coaching record speaks for itself: this is a man worth making a film about.