Dorathen Better Late Then Never

Grimossfer Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

Kamila Bell This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Philippa All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

john_twigger-1 I try to pick out movies that will entertain everyone in our family. Enough of a story to keep me from falling asleep, enough emotional involvement for my wife and an easy to follow plot for my children, with nothing too controversial or adult themed. This film was an absolute winner. It had us all cheering and crying and smiling at the various points in the film. The acting and filming were great and the story was beautifully told. Yes there are clichés and stereotypes, but that just makes it easy to follow for the children. Also, although the film has a football/soccer theme it doesn't require any special interest in this sport to enjoy (I'm no fan). Overall an excellent family movie and a real surprise. I'll be recommending this to my friends.

Roland E. Zwick When high school soccer star Johnny Bowen is killed in a car crash, his grieving kid sister vows to keep his memory alive by taking his place on the team. But first Gracie will have to overcome the strenuous objections of both the coach and her own misogynistic father to her plan.Although it has many of the hallmarks of a Lifetime Original Movie - souped-up gender conflict, an overdose of sentimental uplift, and a plucky, inspirational heroine at its core - "Gracie," which is set in late 1970's New Jersey, transcends many of its stereotypes and clichés through heartfelt performances, unpretentious writing and earnest direction.Carly Schroeder has grit and charm to spare as the indomitable Gracie, while Dermot Mulroney and Elizabeth Shue acquit themselves nicely as her ultimately supportive parents.It's true that "Gracie" provides us with nothing we haven't seen a thousand times before - from "The Karate Kid" to "Bend it Like Beckham" - but inspirational-sports-movie fans should still find themselves cheering on this latest underdog story.

nfrench88 The true story this film was based on is touching, but I feel Davis Guggenheim failed to make any emotional connection with his audience. For most of the film, the characters actions were unconvincing. I found this particularly true with the protagonist Carly Schroeder, whose character was too ambiguous; thus not allowing the audience to really connect with her. The development of her character was, for the most part, "corny" -for lack of a better word. Lastly, Schroader seemed to be trying too hard to portray certain emotions. For example, when she grew mad, there would be this pathetic look on her face that was a cross between constipation and stubborness. All of the supporting actors didn't help either, seeing as the father was pretty much a mystery and the soccer players terrbile in actual athletic skill and acting. Furthermore, the costumes were poor, the lighting unjustified, there was noticeable sunlight during an unconvincing rain storm, and an overall poor job on the mise-en-scene. Like I said, the story is touching, but this film does not tell it in a convincing way.

TxMike This nice, small movie is a product of the Shue family of soccer fame. Siblings Andrew and Elizabeth Shue are among the producers, husband of Elizabeth is the director, and the screenplay is based on Andrew's story. In fact, the whole story is loosely based on their own family as the Shue kids grew up. Carly Schroeder is Grace Bowen (Elizabeth Shue character), only daughter, of Bryan Bowen (Dermot Mulroney). Her brother is the local high school soccer star but, after barely losing to their rivals, he gets killed in a car wreck. Dad is devastated, but sister Gracie wants to play soccer. There is no girls' soccer at their school, so she has to use a title 9 approach and petition the school board to let her even try out. Elizabeth Shue plays the mother, Lindsay Bowen. Andrew Shue plays a soccer coach.This isn't a great movie, but it is a very nice one. I especially enjoy movies based on real events, like this one was. SPOILERS: Gracie in try-outs made a good impression but was not fast enough or tough enough for varsity, and was put on the JV team. However, when the rivals came to town, coach asked her to sit on the bench as moral support, wearing her dead brother's old jersey. Coach had seen her practicing free kicks late at night, and put her in with the game on the line in OT. Her free kick just missed the mark, but she stayed in, and eventually used a move her dad had showed her to score and win the game.