The Last Game

What can I say- they are good filmmakers and they also got lucky- you could follow a 1000 teams for a 1000 years and NEVER get this type of drama...

If you like football and you have not seen this, you have no idea what really goes on behind the scenes...

Well made and entertaining, with an ending that is, well, perfect.

I am going to watch it again right now... since my favorite NFL team lost and won't make the playoffs...

Having lived in central Bucks County most of my life, I will admit to a complete bias toward this documentary, created by Alex Weinress and Patrick Murray; who follow the football team at Central Bucks West High School, located in Doylestown, Pa. during the 1999 season, as the team tries to capture their third consecutive State Championship. Mike Pettine, CB West's legendary, tough-as-nails head coach, gives the filmmakers carte blanch to follow the Bucks everywhere as their season unfolds. They even get to film injuries out on the field. For the pivotal play of the season they are right there as well. You'll have to watch the movie if you want to know more about this item, however.

Though biased I can't fathom some of the criticism leveled at this movie. Yes; at first glance, the drill sergeant-like attitude Coach Pettine exhibits toward his players may seem petty and demeaning, but anyone actually watching the movie certainly will note Pettine's explanation for this. He knows that if they can take his verbal punishment they can then take the psychological battering leveled by opposing teams.

A good example of this can be seen in the way the CB West kids respond in a crucial game against BecaHi (Bethlehem Catholic High School) when they adopt a no-respect attitude toward the Bucks. BecaHi's blue collar kids, many of whose Fathers and Grandfathers must have worked at the steel mill in town before it closed, make it clear from the git go that they aren't in awe of Pennsylvania's supposed #1 team one bit; nor of nationally ranked fullback Dustin Picciotti. At one point after a play has ended, and while Picciotti's back is partially turned toward him, one of BecaHi's smaller players nonchalantly throws a shoulder into Picciotti while walking back to the huddle- what cohones!

Conversely, Coach Pettine brooks no such behavior on the part of his players, whom he would rather see respect the other team while grinding them into the turf. Anyway, during the first half of the game BecaHi's psych-out ploy temporarily throws a wrench into the CB West machine, but the Bucks then steel themselves and regain their form. Pettine's approach is vindicated. (That doesn't necessarily mean they win the game, of course!)

In another scene we see 3 West players walking out to the field for a game with Neshaminy High School, a contest described by Coach Pettine as a kind of mid-season championship game. The kids are lightheartedly singing the words to "Leaving on a Jet Plane" together. No game face on at all! It's as though Pettine's practices are so tough, the game itself is sometimes a breeze.

Also; having followed the Bucks since before Pettine's first season in 1967; let me assure you- any kid going out for football at CB West has been aware of Coach Pettine's legendary temper from the 7th grade on. They know what they're in for!

Even though these Bucks are usually loose before a game, most of which they win by scores of 40 to 10 or so, the irony is that this type of team can be crippled by their own talent since as they meet stiffer competition, they find themselves in unfamiliar waters. This kind of drama, which takes place in spades toward the end of the season, is well capitalized on by the two filmmakers, whose talent has been questioned by some reviewers.

It seems people are getting "low talent" confused with "low budget".

Anyone paying close attention throughout the film will be rewarded handsomely upon realization that the ultra-suspenseful scenarios toward the end (created by the natural playing out of reality- the best kind); have been foreshadowed or "flashbacked" by the filmmakers. In one segment a potentially crushing development for the Bucks takes place as 3 of their best players leave another crucial game with injuries. In a flashback we then see a 4th string player griping about not getting enough practice time. Now he's given a chance to prove himself. Will he rise to the occasion? Or will he tragically, heartbreakingly; crumble under pressure?

In an earlier segment, shot during practice, Coach is yelling at number 20, Andrew Elsing; showing him the right and the wrong way to perform a certain gridiron feat. Later, well….

At this point it becomes hard to argue much more for the legitimacy of the film's "highlight reel as unfolding drama" approach without ruining it for potential viewers.

Suffice to say the tension toward the end is unbearable.

What "The Last Game" gives is a deeply honest look at what a team of gifted high school players and their hard nosed disciplinarian coaches goes through in search for their 3rd consecutive undefeated season. It's real life drama played out on a football field. It doesn't get any better than this.

Everyone from players to coaches, to the families who live with them all suffer a week in and week out emotional battle filled with endless mind games and gut checks.

Father vs son. Heart vs injury. Ego vs pride. Wins vs losses.

"The Last Game" is one of the better sports documentaries I have seen, with the final 20 minutes being a pure suspenseful joy to watch.

Simply put- I am not a football fan and I was forced to watch this by my brother who is a jock and loves anything relating to sports.

Sure, this is a movie about football- but if focuses on a father and son and the mother and wife in the middle.

The father and son must play each other... I won't go into the plot anymore, but the film has a narrative arc that William Goldman couldn't get right without looking cliched.

I hope this film finds an audience somewhere, because it's better than HOOP DREAMS, and maybe it will find an audience, because USA TODAY just said it was the "HOOP DREAMS of football" and gave it 4 stars (Mike Clark)... all in all, one of the biggest surprises of my movie watching life- I expected nothing (well, I expected to be bored by macho grunts) and I got one of the most inspirational, life affirming, positive films I have ever seen.

And the ending? Absolutely insanely great.

Please see it and tell a friend and maybe in 10 years this will show up on the mainstream radar...

God willing...

I have seen this film numerous times. It only gets better after each viewing. One could not have written a better script - only this one was unplanned, spontaneous, original and fresh while unfolding right before your eyes. The film is a beautifully shot sports film but also works on so many other levels. It has a story book ending but also covers loyalty, honor, father/son relationships, determination and the 'sport of war' that is high school football in Pennsylvania. One is never bored watching this film as new story lines keep you riveted. The coach is a unique character and provides great insight into the workings of a brilliant general's mind set. The viewer is also shown what it is like to play for such a man - as the student athletes are fresh and 'green' - then whipped into champions. This film is remarkable. Directors T. Patrick Murray and Alex Weinress have produced an instant sports classic for all time - not to be missed!!!