Trophy Kids

Rarely have I been angrier than when I watched this documentary. The film is about some kids who have parents who are the ultimate helicopter sports parents--parents who insist their children MUST succeed and at any cost. What will you see in this film? Well, several parents use threats of physical abuse to motivate their little athletes. All of them use emotional blackmail and emotional abuse (though the mother of the tennis players wasn't as bad in this respect) and literally have robbed their children of childhoods. And again and again, it's shocking that these parents haven't had their kids taken away from them and the schools have often caved in to their bullying. It is not an exaggeration that these parents are among the most vile you could imagine. After all, a crack-addicted parent could blame crappy parenting on the drug but these parents have no such excuse.

Okay, it's obvious the film created a huge emotional reaction within me. But what about the technical merits? Well, when the film began I noticed that the camera-work was simply awful--and the camera bounced around as if it was using a monkey cam. Fortunately, it DOES get better...so stick with it. My only question, though, is how could the filmmakers watch all this abuse and not get involved? Sure, I know they wanted to make a film but there also comes a point where you'd think they'd have a responsibility to take their material to Children's Services.

By the way, if you want to watch a film that touches on SOME of this but offers a much wider range of parenting and the children's enjoyment of the game, try "The Short Game". And, incidentally, one of the vilest parents is in BOTH films.

Overall, I'd say the film is good despite some technical glitches because it DOES get your attention and hold it. But it also is VERY frustrating because the viewer REALLY wants to know what's happened to these poor kids.

One of the most disturbing films I've ever seen about our sports-centric culture. I think even VInce Lombardi would say there is no victory in the tragic American families portrayed in this documentary. The filmmakers do a superb job of capturing candid moments of very twisted adults pretending to do what's best for their children. One blames it on God's will, and the rest are simply out for a scholarship or a Tiger Woods payday. The bottom line is not one of them is a competent parent, nor are they raising individuals who will be very beneficial to society. The day these poor kids are put on the bench, or miss a put, or drop a pass they will lose their purpose in life, according to their parents. No kidding. You have to see this film, and realize these middle class adults naively allowed their misguided and myopic behavior to be fully documented, to appreciate how out of touch these parents are with reality.

Seriously, it was getting uncomfortable to watch Golf Dad pouting all over the course after every single shot his daughter hit. that guy is a complete scumbag. Can't believe some of the things he calls his daughter.. "wait until you get in the car." You've gotta think their is some physical abuse going on at home too.. he even implied in that one scene when he's getting up from the golf cart that he wishes it was the 70s again where it was 'acceptable' to beat up your kids. Seriously felt like this guy is just banking on his daughter becoming a pro one day and he can mooch off her winnings the rest of his life. Hope that scumbag gets what he deserves.

And what was with the basketball dads? How delusional could they be thinking their scrawny little barely 6 feet tall white kids have any chance of playing D1 basketball? Was hilarious to me when that Cal Poly all black team just came in and ran them out of the gym. It's one thing to be a nut case sports dad when your kid actually has a special talent, but these white kids are simply average players who have no chance at D1 basketball, let alone becoming a pro one day.

Tennis Mom was creepy, though I found it interesting how she really didn't even pay much attention when her kids were playing tennis. Too busy babbling about Jesus to the director, numerous times where she all of a sudden says "oh that was match point!" like she was not paying attention to the score at all.

Football dad was insane, that scene in the car with the kids mother driving didn't even seem real. His thought process is so warped it felt fake that he actually believes the stuff he says.

Coach Meier was awesome though, loved everything he said. Spot on.

Would recommend watching but prepare to be disgusted and angry at the end.

Parents... horrible. I'm sure they are not all like the ones in this movie, but wow. It just angered me to watch how these parents behaved toward their kids and people around them. Amari (little golfer) had the worst, with her over bearing father cursing & swearing... calling her names that NO parent should EVER call their little daughter.

For the two basketball kids, wow, they truly are talented with this ball skills, but the physical limitations were pretty obvious, especially against those Division I ready kids.

At the end of the day, the parents had no idea what these kids wanted to do.. One of the parents actually saying that she's doing everything to help her kids achieve their dream... which frankly was her dream.

The Documentary seemed to provide an accurate perspective on sports parenting skills. The Documentary made me sick to my stomach, that in this supposedly advanced society such levels of cruelty and inhuman behavior can be exhibited. I give the creators of the Documentary high marks for not dumbing down the content, and giving what seems to be a very dramatic and effecting film, brutally honest.

The parents own words are used, and the children's look of shame, fear, and lack of confidence was heartbreaking to watch. You need a license to drive, to hunt, even to fish, but any idiot can be a parent.

All I can say is they use the death penalty on the wrong people.

These sports parents make Pablo Escobar sound like a boy scout.