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 Reel Life with Jane!Get the latest scoop on family-friendly movies at the theatre and on DVD! GRACIE
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for brief sexual content. Should you bring the kids? Yes, but I don't think this movie will hold kids' attention unless they're heavy into soccer. For more info, see "Bringing the Kids" below. THE STORY: This movie centers on the Bowens, a middle-class family living in South Orange, New Jersey. The year is 1978, and Bryan (Dermot Mulroney) is a former soccer star who's obsessed with training his three boys to play the game. Eldest son, Johnny (Jesse Lee Soffer) is the star of his high school soccer team and destined for greatness. Meanwhile, the women in the family -- mom Lindsay (Elisabeth Shue) and daughter Gracie (Carly Shroeder) -- are shoved to the sidelines. Gracie love soccer, but "it's not for girls." And Lindsay wanted to be a doctor, but settled for nurse instead.
When Johnny is killed in a car crash, the family is devastated. Bryan trashes the makeshift soccer goal in the backyard, and it crumbles in a sad heap over the winter. But Gracie has a flash of inspiration and says SHE wants to play on the high school team in Johnny's place. Her parents scoff at the idea, and the kids at school – especially the soccer team – are even less thrilled. Carly's best friend says she'll be classified a lesbian if they hang out together. Still, Gracie shoulders on, training in her off-time. Finally, her dad comes around and starts training her. They have to petition the school board for her to play on the team, and well, you know the rest of the story. Based on the real-life story of the Shue family, this movie has some good acting – especially Carly Shroeder, whom I've admired since she played Kin Shriner's daughter on "General Hospital". Still, it sinks into melodramatic sappiness, and you can see every plot point coming a mile away. It also ticks me off that the mom in the family doesn't stand up for her daughter. She's like this marshmallow woman who teaches her daughter it's ok not to follow your dreams. I grew up in the 1970's, and the women's movement was much further along in my neck of the woods. (And I'm in conservative fly-over country, so that's saying something.) BRINGING THE KIDS: PRESCHOOLERS (ages 2-5): Too intense for preschoolers. A better get-moving option is "Lazy Town," now playing on Nick Jr. Eight-year old Stephanie lives in Lazy Town, where she’s caught between a health-nut superhero and the world's laziest bad guy. This is a colorful show with a good message about staying healthy and finding balance. GRADE-SCHOOLERS (ages 6 - 10): With a PG-13 rating for brief sexual content, this movie really isn't for grade-schoolers. After her brother dies, Gracie goes off the deep end, starts wearing short skirts and hanging out with a guy who's only interested in one thing. The storyline is also pretty dramatic for kids in this age range. A better option is the G-rated "Air Bud: World Pup," one of the many Air Bud sequels. This time, he's into soccer! TWEEN / TEEN (ages 11+): This movie will probably score with kids 12 and older who are really into soccer. Otherwise, I'm not sure it'll hold the attention of most kids. JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM : One Reel: Pathetic. Even The Force can’t save it. Two Reels: Tolerable. Coulda been a contender. Three Reels: Pleasant. Something to talk about. Four Reels: Wow! The stuff dreams are made of. Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net
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by Jane Louise Boursaw
Gracie is a tomboy and has a talent for soccer, but she's consistently shut out of her dad's backyard training sessions. But Johnny looks out for her and encourages her to play, even though he knows it's strictly a boys' game.