Cleats of Imminent Doom

What a wonderfully conceptualized work of writing, casting and directing! I'd like to see more of Craig Hammill's work. Unfortunately, this 2005 short is the last thing he's done. What a shame.

The movie is about 2 young girls' soccer teams playing in the championship game, and how their materialistic parents meddle in their lives in their attempts to show their brand of caring. As another reviewer posted, the Cleats are lovable losers. They're led by coach Bob, who has five daughters, and has been coaching girls soccer for 15 years. He's still looking to win the championship - at any cost. Their nemesis is the Black Widow Princesses, led by coach Dino, a former Italian soccer superstar whose career was cut short by an injury. Coach Dino is accompanied by his chain-smoking wife, Sofia, a famous Italian model, and their daughter Giulietta, who is one of the stars of the team.

After the introduction of all the major characters, the game is on. By early in the second half, the Black Widows have a 3-goal lead. Can the Cleats overcome the deficit? Watch it and see.

Although it's a light-hearted movie, there was a sadness in the main character, Jenny, as the other kids went home with their parents while she was left alone. The sense of loneliness was further highlighted by crickets chirping while she walked home alone at sunset down a quiet, deserted street. I also sensed a sadness and strain in Giuletta, probably due to the pressure she was under from her parents to live up to their expectations.

The story itself is nothing special, but it's so well done and the characters are so likable, it's worth watching over and over again. It's still playing on IFC from time to time. It's the most enjoyable 20 minutes you'll spend watching a short. Don't miss it!

I found the casting call for this movie on the internet at http://64.159.88.142/ubb/Forum2/HTML/003466.html. Auditions were held the final 2 weekends in September, 2002, rehearsals were held October 5th & 6th, and shooting took place over 5 weekends, beginning October 11, 2002. Several of the character's parents were used as extras, although none played the parents of their own children. None of the actors or actresses were paid.

I'm a 52-year-old soccer dad who has chased my daughter all over the west for the past 15 years watching soccer games. I was watching IFC at about 2am and came across "cleats". I laughed myself silly. The caricatures are more real than not. I've never coached the game, and still don't understand offsides, but I am an ardent observer of both parents and players. The mentality exhibited by some of the characters shows that the writer has had similar experiences along the sidelines. I also liked the jab at the elitism that accompanies the game. The weak and less-talented are weeded out. Anyway, what a great little film. Any soccer parent will relate.

I saw this on IFC's short film showcase and loved it from the moment it started. It reminds me of the TV show, "The Adventures of Pete & Pete," both in its tone and in its ability to be sweet without compromising itself. I'm a firm believer in not predisposing people who might see something by telling too much about the plot so I'll not spill any beans about that. I will only say that if you can suspend your sense of reality and take this on its own terms (something important for enjoying "Pete & Pete, by the way), you'll be richly rewarded.

By this point, I'm just stretching because I have to write one more line for this to be posted. Thank you for reading.