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The Heart of the Game

Play trailer Poster for The Heart of the Game PG-13 2005 1h 45m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
87% Tomatometer 98 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Filmed over a period of seven years, director Ward Serrill profiles Bill Resler, a university professor who coaches a basketball team comprised of high-school girls. Darnellia Russell, one of the team's few black players, also comes into focus as she struggles to stay on the team despite major obstacles.
The Heart of the Game

What to Know

Critics Consensus

This group of high school girls and their eccentric basketball coach easily win your heart with their unusual humanity and dynamism.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek 03/14/2018
Will it be heartbreak or triumph for the Roosevelt Roughriders? You will care, passionately. Go to Full Review Richard Corliss TIME Magazine 08/01/2008
Girls have hoop dreams too. And dreams can come true at the final buzzer. Go to Full Review J. R. Jones Chicago Reader 03/26/2007
[The film] covers seven years and touches on some of the same social issues that gave Hoop Dreams its epic sweep, yet Serrill fails to treat any of them adequately, and the narrative loses its shape as events unfold. Go to Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com 09/10/2020
3.0/4.0
A simple, yet effective documentary that treats with respect female athletes who are too often overlooked. Go to Full Review Dorothy Woodend The Tyee (British Columbia) 08/23/2017
If the drama that sweeps through The Heart of the Game is any indication, God must have a thing for girls' basketball. Go to Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com 04/23/2009
B+
Writer/director Ward Serrill's wonderful documentary, about a Seattle high school girls basketball team the Roughriders coached by the inspiring Bill Resler, is a "Hoop Dreams" of the early 21st century. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 07/08/2025 Real footage in 1.75 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Brief Strong Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $444,100.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Munkhjargal A @RT28084692 08/01/2024 This movie turned out to be a very good movie. It has become a work that has been greatly enjoyed by the audience. I think that the work was born because of the director's poor thinking. It turned out to be a movie that I liked very much. I would like to thank the director and actors. See more Bahad j @RT27093708 07/31/2024 This idea of ​​the filmmaker made the movie more accessible to more people. See more Geke g @RT40239519 07/27/2024 It is more than game. More than average. See more 08/14/2014 This is a great documentary to share with any girls basketball team 8th grade and up. A small portion of it contains sections that you will need to prepare your parents and the girls for the adult themes included in it, BUT these are lessons they need to be educated on in order to protect themselves from danger and possible predators. See more 05/22/2013 Full of motivation! Got so pumped up :D See more Read all reviews
The Heart of the Game

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Ward Serrill

Director

Ward Serrill

Writer

Ward Serrill

Producer

Liz Manne

Producer

Larry Estes

Executive Producer

The Angel

Original Music

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The Heart of the Game

The Heart of the Game (2005) A scene from the film "The Heart of the Game." The Heart of the Game (2005) The Heart of the Game (2005) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Filmed over a period of seven years, director Ward Serrill profiles Bill Resler, a university professor who coaches a basketball team comprised of high-school girls. Darnellia Russell, one of the team's few black players, also comes into focus as she struggles to stay on the team despite major obstacles.
Director
Ward Serrill
Producer
Ward Serrill, Liz Manne
Screenwriter
Ward Serrill
Production Co
Woody Creek
Rating
PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jun 9, 2006
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$444.1K
Runtime
1h 45m