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      The Winning Season

      2009, Comedy/Drama, 1h 46m

      23 Reviews 1,000+ Ratings

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      The Winning Season  Photos

      (Top Row L-R) Sam Rockwell as Bill, Rooney Mara as Wendy, Emily Rios as Kathy, Meaghan Witri as Tamra, Margo Martindale as Donna. (Bottom Row L-R) Shareeka Epps as Lisa, Emma Roberts as Abbie and Melanie Hinkle as Mindy in "The Winning Season." (L-R) Filmmaker James C. Strouse and Sam Rockwell on the set of "The Winning Season." Rob Corddry as Terry in "The Winning Season." (L-R) Sam Rockwell as Bill and Emma Roberts as Abbie in "The Winning Season." Sam Rockwell as Bill in "The Winning Season." Emma Roberts as Abbie in "The Winning Season." (L-R) Rob Corddry as Terry and Sam Rockwell as Bill in "The Winning Season." The Winning Season (2009) The Winning Season (2009) The Winning Season (2009) The Winning Season (2009)

      Movie Info

      Increasingly estranged from his own daughter, a boozy busboy (Sam Rockwell) gets a shot at redemption when an old friend (Rob Corddry) hires him to coach a varsity girls basketball team.

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      Audience Reviews for The Winning Season

      • Jan 20, 2015

        I've decided that Sam Rockwell should probably be in every movie from now on. At least films that take place in this side of the world. I'm sure he'd look out of place in a British rom-com or an existential French drama. But for films on this side of the world, Sam Rockwell is perfect for absolutely everything. He's one of those guys that can make a shitty movie somewhat better. He might not be able to single-handedly save the film, but he can alleviate the pressure. Make things a little easier to watch, if you will. He actually did this in The Sitter, that would've been a considerably worse movie without him in it. But he was the only character, as far as I can remember, that made me laugh. And I think that he, honestly, raises this film past its normal sports movies trappings. That's not to say the movie isn't full of cliches, because it is. Bill learning something about himself as he coaches these girls basketball. So really, they taught HIM. That type of ridiculous shit you expect in sports films. I think the film is, honestly, at odds with each other. Because it's clearly got this independent budget, it doesn't look very expensive, nor does it feel like. In some parts it's like a character study of this alcoholic who decides to give the sport he once loved another shot as a coach and in other parts it's a silly, feel-good, and sentimental, sports film like Hoosiers or Rudy. It doesn't work to be honest. It's just two different philosophies taking shape in the same movie and, because of that, it doesn't really work as well as it probably could've. The cast, outside of an inspired choice in Margo Martindale and, obviously, Sam Rockwell is fine. Outside of Rooney Mara, none of the girls in this film have proven to be an elite actress, if you will. Emma Roberts is good, but she's not gonna win any Independent Spirit awards, at least I don't think. Emily Rios has proven to be good in Breaking Bad, but nowhere else really. But the cast is pretty decent all things considered. They all have their own little stories, but they feel a little bit sitcom-y and one-dimensional. Of course, they don't spend a lot of time on them so it's irrelevant in the long run. It's just done to flesh out the girls' characters a little bit more, so I get it. Of course, by the end, the film turns into every sports movie you've ever seen. Quite a bit of sentimentality to boot. It doesn't really work because, even though the film tries to build a connection between the girls and their coach, it feels really hollow. It didn't feel natural or organic. It just felt like it was the next step of the film. At first he's an asshole, then he starts warming up to them as he sees their hard effort paying off, and by the end he loves them. You've seen it before and you will see it again. It just helps to remind you of better films in the same genre. And I'm not even that big of a fan of these inspirational sports films. They just feel like they're cut from the same cloth. The only difference would be the sport that's portrayed in the film. But this is a decent movie, don't get me wrong, it's only average at best, but it's not terrible at all. It certainly takes a bit before it gets going, it was really rough at the start there, but it turns into a more than watchable movie. Plus, any film that has Sam Rockwell dancing is ok in my book.

        jesse o Super Reviewer
      • Jan 30, 2012

        Sam Rockwell and Margo Martindale are excellent but the film is an ordinary impowerment story that's been done a million times. It does have a positive message about being true to who you really are though. Not a bad film but very average.

        Super Reviewer
      • Dec 16, 2011

        I didnt expect to like this movie. The start was a little slow, and I wasn't sure how well put together this movie was going to be. Before too long, however, I was all on board! Very dry, quirky, understated humor here, which seems to be Sam Rockwell's forte, and I love that. The girls were fantastic. Just an all round fun Independent film.

        Super Reviewer
      • Sep 24, 2011

        ~What's an onion butt? ~It brings tears to your eyes!

        Super Reviewer

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