The Goal

This movie is a real inspiration. It's about the fears we all have when life doesn't go as expected. The acting is mostly good and the characters are believable. Considering The Goal was made for $50,000 the production values are very good including a helicopter and professional looking stunt.

The story is about 2 young men, both athletes, who suffer spinal cord injuries and are quadriplegics. Both men get back into their lives and sports by playing wheelchair rugby. The family of the main guy is very religious but this never feels like a movie about religion and it doesn't preach to the audience. It's more about how people/families respond to such severe accidents. The family was religious before the accident and they never lose their faith during the recovery process.

I took my sons (9 and 11) to see this movie. They didn't squirm or get bored. It held their attention for the whole time and afterward they insisted I buy the DVD. Now that's a great movie!

This film has a great premise, but suffers from a rambling story. It's a drama about a young man who loses the ability to walk, but through willpower and the support of his family learns the sport of wheelchair rugby. It's the kind of story that appeals to everyone, but sadly the film falls short.

The script is unfocused and cries out for a more critical edit. There are characters with no purpose, a bizarrely unfocused third act, and unrealistic dialogue.

The acting varies from mediocre to good, with a great effort by the lead and outstanding performances by a couple of the supporting actors. But the director didn't seem able to demonstrate the cast's true potential in the final product.

The audio was a bit amateurish at times, and the music was laughably overwrought. The film has something of the feel of an "after school special" TV show, and is probably best suited for a young audience. But in my opinion, it doesn't stand up to other "grown up" dramas on the indie festival circuit.

All that said, I give Darla Rae bonus points and a big congratulations for her first feature film!

Truly one of a kind very inspirational. the story of The Goal is well made. my favorite part is when the camera is on the dolly entering through the aisle of the church. camera work and shots seem to be fluent and well planned out. the actors also did a very good job. I also like the locations as well. camera cuts are perfect and match to each new scene change. the hospital scene is also another favorite. the music fits every scene perfectly. Darla Rae has brought you an inspirational film that the whole family can watch. I found it to be truthful and realistic in the approach of telling what families go through when tragedy strikes. Darla has shown us miracles can happen. Congrats to the cast and crew, you all did an excellent job.

In a time when it's all about the money, it is good to know that passion and stick-to-it can get you so far. Darla Rae has brought an incredible array of local talent and resources to bear to create a genuine, emotional and inspirational movie to life. It is something many people may not get, but those who are ready to realize their own lives, their own mortality and their own blessings will embrace and cherish. I hope more people will get to see how important every person's life is and see that this movie is truly about how each and every one of us has something we are struggling with. The movie takes an approach not often seen - that of the people who really struggle with an accident, not just the injured person, but all those that it affects. And finally, that even after such a tragedy, that their can be a new, albeit, a different life. Thank you Darla for your enduring perspiration to bring this to the world!

I loved watching The Goal! It was truly inspirational, and the cast/crew did an excellent job. The trials of two athletes who have to redirect all of their competitive passion to quad rugby was amazing, and very moving. The camera shots of the rugby games really captured the spirit and heart that these guys play with.

It was interesting to finally see a movie shot in Denver! Colorado has many beautiful locations, and with a city line that rivals Chicago, New York and LA - it was great to see it on screen.

I highly recommend this movie! What a nice surprise to be able to watch with the whole family and not have to worry that something unsuitable is going to be shown or talked about.

Darla Rae did an outstanding job writing, directing and producing The Goal. I can't wait to see what she's going to show us next!