Review of Forever Strong (2008) by Aaron D — 28 May 2009

Many have seen sports flicks in the past, and all of them have their "moral of the story" built in. Many of them lose that part of the story within the movie. I felt that this one delivered it with a force.

Forever Strong is film based on the true events of rugby Coach Larry Gelwix of Highland High. He is considered the winningest coach in the nation. It is filmed primarily in my great home state of UT. The film takes you on a life ride with character "Rick Penning" who is portrayed by Sean Faris (Never Back Down) In my opinion, I believe Faris achieved in this movie what he tried to achieve in Never Back Down, and that is for the audience to care about his character.

I attribute this to his ability to make you believe that HE believes in his character change through the progression of the movie. He starts out as a bull-headed, spoiled, "chip on his shoulder" tough rugby player who has trouble with obeying the rules and has no direction other than his love for the action of the rugby field.

His actions take him to a juvenile detention center in Salt lake City UT. His counselor at the center is played by Sean Astin (Rudy, The Lord of The Rings series). The part is relatively small for Astin but he plays it well.

As the story progresses, Astin puts Rick in Coach Gelwix (played by Gary Cole "The West Wing") path in order for the straight laced coach to teach Faris some direction in his life. The entire ensemble make the movie have a heart.

Each characters interaction with Rick allows you to be sucked into the change that takes place within the characters in the film. Ryan Little (the director of Saints and Soldiers) and producing team headed up by Adam Abel (Saints and Soldiers) Knock this one out of the rugby field! If you like movies with a great ensemble, humor, action, tears, heartache, morals, and wonderful production value, I recommend this movie!! I was pleasantly surprised by it!