Post by Patcat on Mar 29, 2006 12:34:34 GMT -5
I finally got to see this over the weekend--my brother got a copy of it from the library thinking it would be something like a reunion of HOOSIERS. He was a bit surprised.(G)
It's definitely a film adaptation of a play and very stage bound. I'm not sure the text benefited from the time being moved from 1978 to 1998--the references to 1998 seemed shoehorned in and the attitudes seemed very much of the late 1970s (although, unfortunately, plenty of people still have the racist and sexist ideas of the characters). Paul Sorvino, who originated the role of Phil Romano (the character Mr. D'Onofrio plays in this version) in the play, gives a good effort as the Coach, but he seemed miscast in the part. Mr. Sorvino also directed the film; his technical work is adequate, but he should be really commended for his work with the actors. All of them give extraordinary performances. It helps that they've got Jason Miller's great play and dialogue to work with, of course, but all of them just inhabit their roles. Terry Kinney (who most of you know is Kathryn Erbe's husband) doesn't avoid showing the whiny, manipulative side of his character; Gary Sinise avoids letting his character become a caricature; and Tony Shalhoub and Mr. D'Onofrio are terrific. It's a raw play, but I can't praise it highly enough as an example of great acting.
Patcat
It's definitely a film adaptation of a play and very stage bound. I'm not sure the text benefited from the time being moved from 1978 to 1998--the references to 1998 seemed shoehorned in and the attitudes seemed very much of the late 1970s (although, unfortunately, plenty of people still have the racist and sexist ideas of the characters). Paul Sorvino, who originated the role of Phil Romano (the character Mr. D'Onofrio plays in this version) in the play, gives a good effort as the Coach, but he seemed miscast in the part. Mr. Sorvino also directed the film; his technical work is adequate, but he should be really commended for his work with the actors. All of them give extraordinary performances. It helps that they've got Jason Miller's great play and dialogue to work with, of course, but all of them just inhabit their roles. Terry Kinney (who most of you know is Kathryn Erbe's husband) doesn't avoid showing the whiny, manipulative side of his character; Gary Sinise avoids letting his character become a caricature; and Tony Shalhoub and Mr. D'Onofrio are terrific. It's a raw play, but I can't praise it highly enough as an example of great acting.
Patcat
