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That Championship Season

Play trailer Poster for That Championship Season R 1982 1h 48m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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71% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 50% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Twenty-five years after they win a state championship, members of a basketball team and their coach reunite. Each has acquired a set of problems and challenges: coach Delaney (Robert Mitchum) may be terminally ill, Tom Daley (Martin Sheen) is an alcoholic, Phil Romano (Paul Sorvino) is corrupt, James Daley (Stacy Keach) is overworked and George Sitkowkski (Bruce Dern) is hoping to be re-elected mayor. Their issues and rivalries are ignited in a night of shattering revelations and conflicts.

Critics Reviews

View All (7) Critics Reviews
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews The director's inexperience before the camera shows, and what made it a great play only makes it a runner-up as a film. Rated: B- Sep 28, 2019 Full Review Diego Galán El Pais (Spain) Jason Miller makes his movie with the wisdom of an orthodox narrator and a collaboration with five fine actors. Without them, the only dramatic situation in the film would be diminished. [Full Review in Spanish] Aug 30, 2019 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...the movie's theatrical origins remain obvious throughout, both in the dialogue and direction. Rated: 2/4 Feb 23, 2006 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 3/5 Aug 27, 2005 Full Review Walter Chaw Film Freak Central It's hard to say that the picture is bad, just that it's dry as tinder without a spark to ignite it. Rated: 2/4 May 16, 2004 Full Review Diana Saenger ReelTalk Movie Reviews Incredible performances highlight this brittle, emotional saga of how significant moments in life can have considerable impact later. Feb 11, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (5) audience reviews
Audience Member A group of aging men get together with their old coach in order to commemorate the anniversary of the triumphant basketball season of their high school athletic days. This annual gathering soon degenerates into a quagmire of deep resentment, buried feelings, faded glory, bitter invective, and hints of a dark secret. Adapted from the Pulitzer winning play by Jason Miller, That Championship Season is a sobering meditation on repressed guilt, soured dreams, and the drawbacks of middle age. It's a sardonic and uncompromising piece of high drama that features strong acting by Martin Sheen, Stacy Keach, Paul Sorvino, Bruce Dern, and Robert Mitchum. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member A hard-hitting, brooding drama about sports that lances the American myth of competition and winning, but ...the movie's theatrical origins remain obvious throughout, both in the dialogue and direction. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member (1982 Director: Jason Miller) Robert Mitchem is surprisingly given lowbilling on this incredible study of a family with 3 sons--all in the political arena. The setting is tye year 1957 when corrupt(?) encumbent mayor (Bruce Dern) is up for reelection. Papa of the litter is none other than Robert Mitchem who has raised them in the Jesuit eudcation. Great performances from eveyone! tHIS MOVIE WAS BASED ON THE PLAY...Here is a little trivia for you FELLOW BRUCE DERN FANS (WHO MIGHT REMEMBER BRUCE IN HIS ROLE IN "SILENT RUNNING") TRIVIA: Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher, and Corey Feldman star in what 1989 black comedy?.CAST: Bruce Dern, Stacy Keach, Robert Mitchum, Martin Sheen, Paul Sorvino, Arthur Franz, Michael Bernosky, Joseph Kelly, James M. Langan, Tony Santaniello, William G. McAndrew, Barry Weiner, Edward Cunningham, Robert E. Schlesinger, George Lowry, Jim Sparkman Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member I was so completely bored when I saw this on TV, it wasn't entertaining or fun or anything. It does have a good cast of older actors you'll recognize, but it's not worth watching just to see them either. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member The fact that the first half of this film is clearly filmed on location in Scranton probably makes me a little biased. The film, in a way shows how far Scranton has come since and how far it had fallen. It's political commentary still has an effect, at least locally. A lot of the little things in this movie ring very true due to the love Jason Miller had for Scranton. Then it becomes a dramatic showcase for five talented actors. It isn't without it's flaws for sure...they are minor at worst and admittedly it isn't a movie for everyone. I liked it though. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews
That Championship Season

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Movie Info

Synopsis Twenty-five years after they win a state championship, members of a basketball team and their coach reunite. Each has acquired a set of problems and challenges: coach Delaney (Robert Mitchum) may be terminally ill, Tom Daley (Martin Sheen) is an alcoholic, Phil Romano (Paul Sorvino) is corrupt, James Daley (Stacy Keach) is overworked and George Sitkowkski (Bruce Dern) is hoping to be re-elected mayor. Their issues and rivalries are ignited in a night of shattering revelations and conflicts.
Director
Jason Miller
Producer
Menahem Golan, Yoram Globus
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Aug 1, 2006
Runtime
1h 48m