Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Feel-good but predictable comedy has cursing, racy moments.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Champions
What's the Story?
Based on the Spanish-language movie of the same name, CHAMPIONS begins as Marcus (Woody Harrelson) is fired from his professional basketball coaching job and arrested for a DUI. He avoids jail time with community service and is ordered to spend 90 days coaching The Friends, a team of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Marcus gets to know and love them all over a season of coaching -- particularly Johnny (Kevin Iannucci). Meanwhile, Johnny's sister, Alex (Kaitlin Olson), emerges as Marcus' reluctant love interest as the two pair up with a common goal: getting The Friends to the annual Special Olympics champion basketball game.
Is It Any Good?
This sports comedy could have gone terribly wrong, yet it manages to avoid condescending to its disabled actors. Champions isn't cruel, nor does it punch down: Each member of The Friends team is given time to show their personality and individuality. Still, that doesn't mean that their role isn't to support the journey of a nondisabled character (because it is) or that the movie isn't wholly predictable (because it follows the exact beats of both a sports drama and a hero's journey). We know from the first moment we see him that Marcus is a gruff-yet-lovable guy who's destined to be emotionally softened up by his experiences during the movie and that the whole thing will end in laughter and hugs.
Yet despite Champions' lack of surprises, it does have its charms, chief among them The Friends teammates, who all play to their strengths. Johnny gets the most screen time and the most distinctive arc as he gathers the courage to break free from his overprotective family. But other teammates have their own minor arcs, including Benny (James Day Keith), who confronts an abusive boss, and Darius (Joshua Felder), who begins to resolve his lingering anger at the drunk driver who unwittingly changed the course of his life. These powerful moments are summed up when Marcus explains to his team that it doesn't matter whether they win or lose on the basketball court because they've already won by confronting and rising above the ignorant judgment of people who write them off. OK, so that speech was predictable, too. But Marcus still has a point, and Champions will put a smile on many viewers' faces -- especially those who are OK with a movie that has no surprises but plenty of heart.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Champions follows the formula of many other sports movies, in which new coaches administer tough love and help losing teams overcome weaknesses. Based on that formula, did you know who would win the Big Game at the end? Would you have gone with a different ending?
Marcus becomes kinder over the course of the movie. Does the movie want you to change your mind about him? Do you think people can change their ways?
Talk about sports movies. What's appealing about them? Do you ever doubt their outcome? What kinds of feelings do they stir up? How does this one compare to other sports films you've seen?
Why is it notable -- and significant -- that the Friends team members were cast authentically, with actors who have disabilities? Why is representation important?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 10, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : March 28, 2023
- Cast : Woody Harrelson , Kaitlin Olson , Ernie Hudson
- Director : Bobby Farrelly
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Focus Features
- Genre : Comedy
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 123 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong language and crude/sexual references
- Last updated : January 10, 2025
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