Metascore

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 9 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

  • Starring: Gary Cole, Penn Badgley, Sean Faris
  • Summary: Rick Penning lives life just like he plays rugby; fast, hard-hitting and intense. When life on the edge lands him in jail, prison ward Marcus Tate offers him a chance to get back in the game by playing for longtime rival team, Highland Rugby. Reluctantly Rick joins the team where he must adopt the grueling training schedule and unique code of conduct that Highland’s legendary coach demands. Egos clash and bitter competitors struggle to find the meaning of “team.” As on-field battles rage, hearts are challenged and loyalties are tried. Rick Penning must decide between the life he lived and a life that stands before him. With a national championship on the line, he will learn that the greatest victories are born in the heart. (Crane Movie Company) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 9
  2. Negative: 2 out of 9
  1. 63
    There's something disheartening about seeing real-life stories and their inevitable complexities put through the Hollywood sausage machine and transformed into bland parables about a privileged, wayward young bucks redeemed by wise, infinitely patient mentors and the self-abnegating spirit of team sports.
  2. Reviewed by: Adam Markovitz
    58
    Despite all the macho posturing, the corny story is just as sappy as anything on Lifetime.
  3. This inspirational sports drama unfolds in such generic fashion that it feels contrived more often than it rings true.
  4. A mawkish drama hobbled by a thoroughly unpleasant and uncharismatic lead performance.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 2 out of 13
  1. 10
    Absolutely loved the movie. Wish there was a coach in the school system here like Larry Gelwix. Maybe more kids would turn their lives around. I hit the wiki's while I was watching this movie and was impressed by all I read. The movie was made well and the acting was strong by all those in it. True it would have been nice to have had a little more of the history of Highland written into the script but none the less it was still done well. I would watch it again more then once. Well done. Expand
  2. MarkR.
    8
    I love it when the critics are down on a movie that the rest of us enjoy. We assume that because they are a "critic" they should know. I can honestly say that I have usually found their review to not be in line with the rest of us. This movie was enjoyable, uplifting, and made me feel better than when I went in! Expand
  3. MattW.
    7
    of course it is predictable; what sports/rite-of-passage movie isn't? (some exceptions exist; this isn't one of them). But there are other important issues besides originality. The script is perfectly acceptable and the performances well and believably acted; and the story is involving and well-paced. And selfishly, I am thrilled to have a movie focus on Rugby in the US heartland. Next up an adaptation of Netherland, please (can be more creative). Expand
  4. The story is predictably corny and the main character has a bad attitude for most of the movie. It kind of makes the film annoying.

See all 13 User Reviews

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