Review of Forever Strong (2008) by Mike M — 18 Sep 2008

Saw this movie at a pre-screening over the summer. It is as good as any other solid sports movie out there. If not better than the average. It is very inspirtational and its message is true and old-fashioned. Its message does not bow to the things we celebrate in society today that we probably shouldnt.

- It finally gives the great great sport of rugby its due. Rugby is the great hidden secret in American sports. It is a sport that almost perfectly matches the American values, ethics, and what we find entertaining and worthwhile, but is held at more than arm's length because it has a foreign stigma and the rules are complicated if you dont take 5 minutes to try to understand them. (we in america dont have 5 minutes to waste! sigh).

- If you are a sport's fan, especially of football, do yourself a favor and check rugby and this movie out. Rugby is at the very least equal to football as a sport. But if you guage a sport by how well it teaches the lessons sports were invented to teach than rugby rises above football and every other sport in a landslide.

Keep reading if you actually want to know why but otherwise I would conlude that the acting in this movie (Lumberg from office space! and sam gamgee/rudy! do a great job) as well as the action and lessons are well worth the price of admission.

- On the rugby field there are no special abilities that one player has over another. A kid who plays the line in football will spend his entire athletic career coming out of a stance and doing almost the exact same thing. In rugby everyone can run with the ball, everyone can score, everyone can play defense (all at the same time mind you). What you can do on the field is only limited by your ability as an athlete.

- Not to mention that sports are intended to develop young men's (and women I know but we are contrasting football here) minds and teach them how to react in different situations. Who calls the plays in football?? the coach. Almost every single thing a player does on the field is dictated by the coach. Yes the qb has reads and audibles but thats it and he is only 1 of what 50 players who gets to truly think? In high level rugby matches the coaches sit in the stands. They have put in a system during practices. They have taught technique and now it is up to the players to make the decisions based on what they see. They call the plays. Not to mention they call the plays as the game is going on. There are not a lot of breaks in rugby. Decision maker's call plays in the middle of action. Rugby truly develops leadership and problem solving.

- In rugby fat bodies are discouraged. In football well the bigger the better. Yes there are great athletes and the lineman arent all fat but in highschool and lower the fitness of a football lineman isnt really a priority. In rugby every player may run/sprint 2 miles during a game. You cant play the game well unless you are really fit.

- This isnt a rugby is great football sucks comment. I played and loved football. I am just saying that people should give rugby a chance because it can be a very very rewarding experience. Getting involved in it is the best decision I ever made. Beeeeesides marrying my wife.