|
|
|
Miracle: Adrenaline pumping, Communist-friendly fun
Chris Molnar
Movie Critic
When I walked into my house after viewing Miracle (a film about the 1980 U.S. hockey team’s victory over the Soviet Union, called “The Miracle on Ice”), my brother asked, “Who won?” At the time, I thought the correct answer was a swift punch to the gut accompanied by a vociferous, “America, you communist pig!” While this did turn out to be a response that caused a highly volatile (and desirable) reaction, it may not have been the best answer. The real winners are those who were born after 1975 and probably do not remember the amazing game when the United States hockey team defeated the USSR national squad in arguably the greatest upset in the history of sports.
See, the Soviets had won the past four Olympic gold medals in hockey. They were considered the greatest team in the history of the sport. Moreover, the contest took place in the midst of the Cold War, perhaps at its highest point aside from the Cuban Missile Crisis. All of this historical background is expertly conveyed in the movie. The opening credits roll to a montage that outlines the years preceding the 1980 Winter Olympics. While I was very familiar with the athletic context of the games in Lake Placid, my history was not exactly sharp. The opening sequence corrected my ignorance very well. As for the legendary might of the so-called Russian Red Army, their imposing position is not at all understated. As the overall goal is to take down the Soviets, their impressive accomplishments are often repeated.
The movie itself is well crafted. It is fast-paced with nary a dull moment from start to finish; it does not feel as long as it is. The acting by Kurt Russell perfectly embodies the dedication and focus of the late Herb Brooks, coach of the 1980 team. The hockey sequences look amazingly realistic, chiefly because the actors were chosen in large part based on their ability to play puck. In fact, the games are so intense that I leapt out of my seat at one point when the U.S. scored a timely goal. The foul-odored man seated beside me gave me a stare that would have been my end had the stench emanating from his corpulent body not already killed me. I gave him a can of Axe as an apology for my outburst.
However, it turned out that I was not the only one wrapped up in the action. When the U.S. defeated the Soviets in their medal-round rematch, applause thundered throughout the theater, much to the chagrin of my stoic and stinky neighbor. Their approval was reprised when the film ended to another ovation. This rapture is made all the more impressive by the fact that everyone (presumably) knew the outcome. If you were in doubt, do you think that they would actually make a movie in which the pinkos won? If so, then go mourn Stalin, comrade. (Are socialist jokes PC now? Or did I just lose my position?)
The film was more sensitive than I, with only one red-bashing comment, a postcard sent to Coach Brooks before the penultimate game of the Olympics. Yep, that’s right, the U.S. didn’t actually win the gold by beating the Soviets; they still had to take down Finland in the final, a game which was almost irrelevant to most Americans, jubilant about defeating Russia. Just as this contest was overlooked by the nation, it was an afterthought in the movie, too, another instance in which the mood of the time was accurately reflected on the screen.
You really don’t need to like hockey to enjoy Miracle, although I don’t know why anyone would be put off by a sport that can run the gamut from ballet to boxing on any given night. Unless I’m just a sucker for sports (probably true,) this movie was truly inspirational without being trite, as it easily could have been. I expected it to be a good film simply because its subject matter was compelling – unbelievably so. Yet the producers managed their own miracle by adapting a great tale into a great movie.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Vonnegut entertains Case
|
|
Tuition to increase 10 percent next year
|
|
Adelbert Road bridge to be replaced in 2005, construction continues
|
|
City Club extends forums to students
|
|
Jan Hopkins speaks of experience at CNN, Citibank
|
|
Knowledge lecture series begins
|
|
Federal judge rules Microsoft violated patents on software
|
|
Congress may pass laws, dropping pell grant funds
|
|
Greek Update
|
|
The Brief Case
|
|
Lady Spartans sputter against Violets, Judges
|
|
Spartans split with Brandeis, NYU
|
|
Case teams turn out first place finishes at Spartan Relays
|
|
Crew club prepares for winter ergattas
|
|
Men defeat, women fall to swimming Wittenberg Tigers
|
|
Bored waiting for football? Watch the Cavs
|
|
Wrestlers finish second in the Second City
|
|
Finnigan Fields construction moves slowly but surely
|
|
Pats win second Super Bowl in three years, 32-29
|
|
Home Shopping poor replacement for sports
|
|
Editorial
|
|
Strategic voting in 2004
|
|
Letters to the Editor
|
|
Simple Plan guitarist discusses stereotypes, sellouts, losing MTV music award to 50 Cent
|
|
Punk bands sound great despite bad crowd
|
|
Where has all the folk music gone?
|
|
Art museum photography exhibit reveals natural lovin'
|
|
Simon's Dinner Party leaves audience hungry
|
|
Miracle: Adrenaline pumping, Communist-friendly fun
|
|
Side Trax
|
|
|
|
