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At least "The Winning Season" knows that the whole down-on-his-luck coach and group of misfit girls basketball team who learn about life and winning together type of story has been done before. They did unfortunately follow the exact same formula, but with a hint of whimsy and self-awareness, it's above average for the genre.

Emma Roberts and the other girls comprising the team actually come across as real teenage girls. I found them cute and funny. As a big fan of Sam Rockwell, he seems to be the reason why this film is pretty good. He's basically a drunken asshole, very unlikable, but he completely draws you in so there's a real emotional connection for the dramatic elements. And as he has demonstrated before, his physical comedy antics are perfect making the comedy scenes pretty funny.

"The Winning Season" has been done many times before, but here they managed to do it without being cheesy, while providing quality scenes of drama and comedy. If you like the genre, it is certainly worth a look.

Just got back from seeing the premiere of The Winning Season at Sundance 09' and couldn't be more thrilled to report back that we have a winner.

The basic elements of the story are familiar; down in out coach finds a second chance with a bunch of scrubs and you know the rest. The Winning Season isn't groundbreakingly different from its ancestors, but just enough in all the right places to make this "dramedy" a very rewarding viewing. Audiences familiar with typical indie fare, will find that The Winning Season is indeed cut from an indie mold. The Winning Season does not gloss over the coach's failures, his abusiveness or the realities of the steep obstacles he faces. This is a good thing though, because being able to see the dark nature of the human condition makes the successes all that much more enjoyable. The strength of the The Winning Season is in its balances and ultimately the director/writers decision to allow humor and healing to be the driving force as the movie plays out. Far too often indie films allow their depressive themes to run rampant in what appears to be an effort to increase anti-depressant sales. There a lot of folks who think of any movie labeled as a "dramedy" to be fluff or mainstream box office disguising itself as an indie movie, but I would beg to differ. There is always room for reality and laughter to co-exist in a uniquely indie vision, and in the end movies should be allowed to make the viewer feel rewarded. The Winning Season aims to do that, and it's pretty much hit that mark.

On to the cast, Sam Rockwell (always underrated) is right on the money with his performance that never waivers from the lead characters self destructive nature as well as delivering such wonderfully dry humor that you keep thinking to yourself why isn't this guy getting more credit for being such a great actor. The young women in the film who make up the team are terrific and give such a sweetness to each of their roles, Emma Roberts in particular is fantastically clever in her role. Also, what a bonus to have Rob Coddry of Daily Show fame, as the goofy principle he just adds the right comedic touches to the scenes between he and Rockwell. Finally James Strouse, coming off two other well received Sundance films, ups his game here and brings a very strong effort. He should have very little problem getting more gigs with this type of quality output.

Terry (Rob Corddry) is the high school principal and he invites his old classmate Bill Greaves (Sam Rockwell) back to coach girls' basketball. He's a drunk busboy. He tries to reconnect to his daughter from his failed marriage. He's still struggling with his past basketball dreams. The girls' team isn't any good and has only 6 girls with 1 on crutches. The school bus driver Donna (Margo Martindale) helps out.

It's an odd mix of Rockwell playing a slacker indie and the girls doing a fun underdog sports movie. It doesn't always mix well but there are enough good parts. The characters are likable. There is some fun with the girl drama clashing with Rockwell. Rooney Mara and Emma Roberts play two of the girls. Emma is the more compelling actress. It's reminiscent of 'Bad News Bears' with a drunken Walter Matthau.

Every element comes together very well in this film give you much more than you'd expect from just another sports movie. Though it has a very "bad news bears" feel to it, the coach has real issues, but you don't really blame him for the problems he has. He ends up being more than just a coach to the girls, but a mentor and friend.

The acting all blends together well, and make the characters seem real with a scrip written with today's teenagers in mind. Even the soundtrack and graphic elements are a great edition and gives really brings it together.

I could normally care less about girl's basketball, but this movie will help you see there is more to this sport than just basketball. The winning season will captivate you and make you care about the characters and wish it was based on a true story.

Kind of Garden State with Basketball, a sneaky lowball story of a loser coach's shot of redemption with a girls' basketball team, the Lady Chargers, that is both very funny and also kind of effective on the drama front.

Everyone creates a low-fi vibe and just runs with it, small town values - we loved the comedy is in the small touches - and the timing - much of the comedy comes from the everyday conversations but just rings true.

If you like sports movies with a little more than just training and victory dances then this fits the bill well - it's well done at every step...