Common Sense Note
Parents should know that Sara's parents are estranged -- Dad is sleeping at his office -- which may be difficult for some kids of divorced parents.
Families can talk about how teens in the family cope with the pressure to please parents, do well in school, and figure out what they want to do with their lives. How would they cope with an opportunity like the one Sara had? Would they give it up to be a regular teen?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Heather Boerner
HER BEST MOVE is like its main character, Sara (Leah Pipes). It's smart, it's sensitive, it's sincere -- and it doesn't know where it wants to go. An earnest coming-of-age film, it will resonate with the parents of high-achieving teens. And teens will identify with the very normal Sara and her travails.
But that doesn't mean it has a plot, exactly. What we get instead, is an interesting look at the life of 15-year-old Sara, who has been groomed by her soccer coach father (Gilmore Girls' Scott Patterson) to be the youngest member of the women's national soccer team. Rejected for the team once already, Sara gets a second chance. But as she starts to explore life outside her rigorous training schedule -- including taking dance with best friend Tootie (Lizzie McGuire's Lalaine) and a budding romance with the school's shutterbug Josh (The Bold and the Beautiful's Drew Tyler Bell) -- she starts to wonder whether that's what she really wants. She has to face a choice confronted by a lot of teens: Does she go for achievement for achievement's sake and win her father's approval, or does she opt out for a normal life?
Like Saving Shiloh, this film is long on authenticity and heart, and a little short on dramatic tension. It's so clear from the beginning that Sara isn't determined to be a soccer star that the viewer starts to root for her to stay at home. And while that's probably healthy, it doesn't do much for the plot.
What's great in the film are the little touches -- especially the look into the life of a supergirl who works, studies, plays a sport, and is trying to figure out her future besides. For that alone, it's worth watching.
Families who enjoy this film may want to check out other sports films like Bend It Like Beckham or even Ice Princess.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentJosh and Sara kiss on a few occasions. |
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Social BehaviorRegina spreads a rumor that Sara said Josh "kisses like a dead squid" because she's jealous of her soccer skills. Sara has to choose between disappointing her father and having a full life. |
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CommercialismNike and Cold Stone Creamery are prominently displayed. |
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