Men with Brooms

Genial, intermittently amusing comedy about curling. I never knew what curling was, and it's sort of an interesting shuffleboard/billiards kind of game and I'm glad to have learned something about it, but outside of that this movie is so slight that in spite of it's easygoing charm I never felt more than a passing interest in the character's lives. Watchable but forgettable.

This movie had the potential to be interesting and fun by tackling a little known Scottish sport in a Canadian locale. Instead the writer, Paul Gross, chose to take the easy way out and went for every sports cliche in movie history. From the unrequited love (this lucky fellas has two!) to the see-it-coming-from-a-mile-away win you can pretty much predict what each new scene is going to bring. I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt... up until they threw in the very tired slow-mo silhouette walking with some rock song as it's background. on top of that writer/director's Paul Gross' acting was mediocore at best.

All this being said the movie is watchable simply as the kind of movie where the underdogs win. It could have been better, though...

"Men With Brooms" has got to be the funniest movie about curling ever (by default)! This is a very Canadian movie, focusing on a very Canadian sport. It had to be a comedy, because dealing with curling, you can't take it too seriously! Paul Gross stars as a former curling star, and Leslie Nielsen appears as a grizzled curling coach. Any American watching the movie can learn some things about curling, while Canadians can be sure the depiction of the sport is authentic. There are funny moments, such as the foursome's dealing with beavers on the road, and the flashy opposing players. You don't have to be Canadian to laugh!

This movie was not as funny as I thought it would be at first. Yes, there's some laughs, but no genuine one. It's the Canadian answer to a movie like Independence Day or The Patriot!

The acting is not brilliant, even if Polly Shannon and Molly Parker are good. On a good note, It was nice to see some scenes shot in Sudbury, where I lived for a while, but besides that, the movie has no real value.

Out of 100, I gave it 70. That's good for ** out of **** stars.

Seen in Vaughan, at the AMC Interchange 30 Cineplex, on April 13th, 2002.

If you just want a pizza and beer movie and a few laughs with mates then this is a good choice.

Just offensive enough to feel adult, just enough comedy to make you laugh, and enough curling to remind you you're watching a sports movie.

Is it a classic? No.

But, is it a turkey? No way.

It's an unusual sports movie with lots of silliness and little one-liners and it actually does the send up of curling very well.

All in all it shines for its small town values, it's heart, and good performances.

A nice break from the norm.