Gioco di squadra

Saw it quite a while ago, but I do recall it being quite touching. While it's certainly about basketball, it's also quite human. I don't want to give away what makes it special, but the player's initial sense of loneliness (despite his having a girlfriend) in this strange country, where he doesn't know the language and is completely at the mercy of his coach, really comes through. It's the perfect opening for his befriending the NBA-obsessed local sports journalist and through him, his sister. It makes a nice triangle because there's little room for jealousy or possessiveness, as the siblings are loyal to each other to the end. This film will appeal to sports fans and "civilians" alike.

Did anyone else notice how in many ways this film was a kind of remake of Bertrand Tavernier's "Round Midnight", with a past-his-prime American basketball player in the Dexter Gordon sax-player role? The relationship between him and the Israeli sports journalist is similar to that between Gordan and his French host.