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Forever Strong

EMAIL PRINTCrane Movie Company

8.2 User Score:

Generally unfavorable reviews

Based on 9 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 11 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Drama

Written by: David Pliler

Directed by: Ryan Little

Release Date:
Theatrical: September 26, 2008
DVD: May 26, 2009

Running Time: minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: PG-13 for thematic material involving teen drug and alcohol use, and for some disturbing images

Starring Gary Cole, Sean Faris, Neal McDonough, Sean Astin, and Arielle Kebbel

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)

Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database Official Studio Site

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

TV Guide Maitland McDonagh

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.

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Entertainment Weekly Adam Markovitz

Despite all the macho posturing, the corny story is just as sappy as anything on Lifetime.

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Village Voice Nick Pinkerton

Though director Ryan Little puts together a clean, professional package, at bottom this is a nearly-two-hour scrum of therapeutic direct encounters.

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Los Angeles Times Michael Ordona

The movie is well shot and edited, the rugby scenes are enjoyable (if likely puzzling to the uninitiated) and "Strong's" earnestness excuses at least some of its predictability.

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The Hollywood Reporter Sheri Linden

This inspirational sports drama unfolds in such generic fashion that it feels contrived more often than it rings true.

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Variety Joe Leydon

The performances are credible across the board, excessive sentimentality is largely avoided, and the sequences devoted to rough-and-tumble rugby match-ups are expertly shot and edited.

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The Onion (A.V. Club) Noel Murray

Forever Strong is generic faith-and-redemption fare, devoid of nuance.

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The New York Times Jeannette Catsoulis

A mawkish drama hobbled by a thoroughly unpleasant and uncharismatic lead performance.

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New York Post V.A. Musetto

If the script serves any purpose at all, it is to allow jocks to show off their buff bodies. They're hot, but not worth 12 bucks at the box office.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 8.2 (out of 10) based on 11 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Imafan forgood gave it a10:
A truly inspiring movie that captured my interest right away. I wanted to be a better person after having viewed the film. An uplifting true story.

Matt W. gave it a7:
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).

Tim H. gave it a10:
I loved this movie - it was a fantastic story that entertained me, kept me on the edge of my seat, and left me inspired to be a better person at the end. The message of what it meant to be "Forever Strong" is one that America would be good to keep present. This is one of those movies that I am going to watch over and over again.

Mark R. gave it an8:
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!

John M. gave it a1:
Another force-it-down-your-throat sports movie about the ability of people to overcome "hardships in the face of adversity." Hardly anything new and not as well done as movies in the past.

Darren S. gave it an8:
The picture was very solid. Good acting...mixed in with hard hitting, bone crunching rugby action. It had humor in all the right places with moments of warmth. Most of the story elements are based on actual fact but don't let that fool you. It's not boring. You won't get bombs blowing up or gun fights or aliens landing.....You will get straight forward,realistic rugby action(better then the football scenes from Remember the Titans) with a strong message about redemption and forgiveness at it's core. It's a movie your family can enjoy and be moved by.