Miracle (2004)

Review:

In 1980 The United States Hockey Team beat the Soviet Union’s team in the winter Olympics, an unprecedented triumph that came to be known as the miracle on ice. The game was seen as a much-needed bolster to American confidence in the midst of the cold war. In the late 1970s America, still shaken by Watergate and suffering from a recession and fuel crisis, was in great need of some affirmation that it could still win the cold war against the seemingly indomitable USSR. The miracle on ice was such an affirmation.

“Miracle”(2004) is the film based on that game and the events leading up to it. Director Gavin O’Connor and writer Eric Guggenheim wisely choose to focus on Herb Brooks (Kurt Russel) the passionate, implacable coach. Russel plays Brooks as a good hearted man determined to meet his goals and bring out the best in his team. Russel gives the finest performance in the film. Really, it’s the only performance.

When Russel is on screen, the film is engaging and has some excellent scenes. One particularly great scene involves an early hockey match. The US team ties the game. Instead of letting them retreat to the locker room Brooks forces them to do countless suicides well into the night. When the janitor of the rink turns off the power, Brooks persists in having his team continue their exercise, always chanting “Again.” This scene is fascinating and pivotal. It shows the semi-fanatical lengths Brooks will take to make his team perform to their potential.

Where “Miracle” slips up is when it shies away from Brooks and looks at the hockey team. The team, of course, is an important element of the movie - after all, they were the ones who won. But the character development of the team members is slight. There are a few problems some of the individual players must overcome, but those problems seem more like filler than relevant information. I found it hard to adequately distinguish the players, let alone care about them.

It might have been wiser to focus solely on Brook’s ruthless passion and treat the team as a unit. But, I suppose this would not be in the spirit of most team sports movies.

One of the most fascinating scenes in the film involves a press conference at the Olympics. Brooks will not let his team speak with the press and so takes all questions himself. A reporter suggests he won’t let his team speak because he wants all the focus on himself. Could that be true? The film suggests that was not his intention, but it may have been interesting to explore that more.

Ultimately, we have a good-looking sports movie here. The hockey scenes are exciting and well done. Even the verging-on-redundant explanations about why this game was so important to America are well done and appreciated. But when it comes to the hockey team itself, I found myself not caring enough.

Rating:

On a scale of one to Casablanca, this film is an “Blow” (2001)

Rationalization:

For those who love hockey and significant sporting events, this is a fine film. Its success is predicated on how well you can remember or understand the significance of the miracle on ice. It is an important story in American sports history and I think the filmmakers knew whom they were trying to reach in making it. They play it safe by not looking too hard at Brooks or the Russians, instead recalling only what made the event so inspirational. Thus, “Miracle” is inspiring but perhaps a little too simplistic. I would have liked to see this story told from the perspective of the Russian team. That could make for an intriguing movie