Blindspotting: Sports Movies

We watch a lot of movies, but we haven’t seen everything. This month we’re tackling our personal sports movie blindspots!

I, Tonya

“Nancy gets hit one time and the whole world shits. For me, it was an all-the-time occurrence.” Growing up, the story of Tonya Harding’s plotted attack on Nancy Kerrigan loomed in my mind like a nightmare. I remember seeing the footage on TV and being haunted by the sound of Kerrigan’s cry. I suppose this is why I put off watching the movie for so long—why open a door you’ve kept shut for so long? Though not exactly redeeming, I, Tonya sheds a little light on the life of Harding and the upbringing, characters, and events that led to one of the most unforgettable events in sports history. —Kevin Prchal

White Men Can’t Jump

Somehow this was my first Wesley Snipes movie, and I’m glad it was because he’s hella charismatic as Sidney. Combined him with Woody Harrelson’s squirrelly affability and it’s a con movie that’s hard not to like. Didn’t expect Jeopardy! to feature so heavily in a movie about pickup basketball, but I’ll take it. —Chad Comello

Miracle

I didn’t quite expect Miracle to be about so much more than a game of ice hockey, but that’s what makes it a special film. Kurt Russell is captivating, and his cultured portrait of coach Herb Brooks elevates the film above its fairly conventional sports drama trappings. It’s not quite Leicester City winning the Premier League, but the “Miracle on Ice” remains an unmatched sporting accomplishment, and Miracle offers up a nuanced and emotionally satisfying take on a momentous and frankly beautiful American victory. —Elliott Cuff

Moneyball

Though Moneyball may be packed with endless baseball lingo and dynamics, the performances of a soulful Brad Pitt and a gently commanding Jonah Hill successfully ameliorate any lingering confusion of the sports novice (me). Adapted for the screen by Aaron Sorkin, it contains less of the punchy, melodic dialogue Sorkin is known for, and the result is a tender narrative about the power and risk of a steadfast commitment to one’s belief in change, what happens when we seek change in the face of resistance, and the strange surprise when it comes to fruition. It also has a beautiful score composed by Mychael Danna, which I instantly added to my Spotify library. —Julia York

Whip It

I finally found out how roller derby works! This reminded me so much of Drop Dead Gorgeous that I started to convince myself it must have been made in 2000. The dialogue is top notch and very quotable. It’s a little formulaic at times, but flips the tropes on their heads: kid from nowhere becomes rookie of the year, a trick playbook to rival the Mighty Ducks, and a girl who just wants to make her southern mama proud. Tears and nostalgia for high school ran rampant. Didn’t realize Drew Barrymore directed this one—great flick, Drew! —Natalie Pohorski

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