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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

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Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 09/28/2019
B-
The director's inexperience before the camera shows, and what made it a great play only makes it a runner-up as a film. Go to Full Review
Diego Galán El Pais (Spain) 08/30/2019
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] Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 02/23/2006
2/4
...the movie's theatrical origins remain obvious throughout, both in the dialogue and direction. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 08/27/2005
3/5
Walter Chaw Film Freak Central 05/16/2004
2/4
It's hard to say that the picture is bad, just that it's dry as tinder without a spark to ignite it. Go to Full Review
Diana Saenger ReelTalk Movie Reviews 02/11/2004
Incredible performances highlight this brittle, emotional saga of how significant moments in life can have considerable impact later. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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11/01/2012 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. See more 03/22/2012 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. See more 06/24/2011 (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 See more 12/15/2010 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. See more 09/23/2009 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. See more 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
Screenwriter
Jason Miller
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Aug 1, 2006
Runtime
1h 48m