Watch Our Winning Season
- PG
- 1978
- 1 hr 33 min
-
5.4 (247)
Our Winning Season is a coming-of-age film set in the 1970s and directed by Joseph Ruben. The story centers around a high school basketball team called the Hornets and their star player, Dave (Scott Jacoby). The film captures the emotions and struggles of teenage life during a pivotal moment in American history. The movie opens with a narration by Dave, who reflects on his senior year and how everything seemed possible then. We see him playing basketball and being scouted by college coaches. Dave is talented, but he is also struggling with personal issues. His parents are divorced, and his father is an absentee figure in his life. Dave is also trying to navigate his relationship with his girlfriend, Cathy (Deborah Benson), who wants to have a sexual relationship with him.
As the basketball season starts, the Hornets are not doing well. They lose their first game, and the coach, Phil Arnold (Dennis Quaid), is under pressure to turn things around. Arnold is a former player who was injured in college and never made it to the pros. He takes his disappointment out on the players and is often verbally abusive. Despite this, he sees potential in Dave and pushes him to be the best player he can be.
As the season progresses, the Hornets start winning games, and Dave becomes a star player. He is in the running for the state championship, and his college prospects are looking good. However, there are obstacles in his way. Cathy becomes pregnant, and Dave has to decide whether he wants to have a sexual relationship with her. He also learns that his absentee father is going to be in town and wants to see him.
The climax of the movie takes place during the state championship game. The Hornets are playing their rivals, and Dave is expected to lead them to victory. However, Dave is distracted by his personal problems and struggles on the court. The tension builds, and the audience is left wondering if the Hornets will win and whether Dave will overcome his personal demons.
One of the strengths of the movie is its portrayal of the 1970s. The film captures the clothes, the music, and the culture of the time. The characters are believable and relatable, and the themes of teenage angst and self-discovery are timeless. The basketball scenes are also well-done, and the cinematography captures the excitement of the game.
The performances by Scott Jacoby, Deborah Benson, and Dennis Quaid are excellent. Jacoby embodies Dave's vulnerability and ambition, and Benson brings depth to Cathy's character. Quaid is convincing as the tough coach who has a soft spot for his star player.
Overall, Our Winning Season is a well-crafted movie that will appeal to fans of coming-of-age films and sports movies. The story is engaging, the characters are memorable, and the themes are universal. The film captures a moment in time when anything seemed possible, and the future was full of promise.
Our Winning Season is a 1978 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.