Review of Champions (2023) by Tvjerry — 18 Mar 2023

Woody Harrelson plays a minor-league basketball coach whose temper gets him in trouble. As a result, he's court-ordered to manage a team of players with intellectual disabilities. This is the first solo directing effort from Bobby Farrelly, who with his brother created such classics as There's Something About Mary and Dumb and Dumber.

As a result, you'd expect some comedy. Alas, no. While there's def an upbeat energy and the team is full of fun personalities, the actual funny moments never materialize. Harrelson's performance doesn't do much to help, although some of the team members have quirky moments.

The narrative makes statements about the humanity and heart inside all of us all without stooping to easy gags. An underdog team succeeding is a Hollywood staple, but this time is all about being heartwarming, abandoning most comic potential.