Parents' Guide to

The House That Rob Built

By Jennifer Green, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Positive messages, role models in inspiring sports docu.

Movie NR 2021 59 minutes
The House That Rob Built Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

When Rob Selvig, the title subject of THE HOUSE THAT ROB BUILT, retired as head coach of the University of Montana women's basketball team, he left behind a 38-year career with the team and generations of former players who still credit the team for changing their lives for the better. This documentary interviews many of those players as well as Selvig, his family members, journalists, fans, and fellow coaches to detail his pioneering role over four decades in women's basketball. Selvig was responsible for essentially creating the Montana team in a pre-Title IX era when women's sports were simply devalued. Starting out with second-rate uniforms and facilities, the team began building up its fan base, winning games, and eventually winning championships. The team provided unique opportunities for women, including many from rural and Native American communities. At the end of the film, hundreds of former players gather to celebrate Rob on the occasion of his retirement.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Despite the relatively niche topic of the rise of a women's basketball team at a Montana university, this documentary has some universal themes that could interest a wider audience. As The House That Rob Built depicts, even despite Title IX anti-discrimination laws passed in the early 1970s, there was very little investment in, support for, or expectations from women's university athletics even a decade later. That context explains why Rob Selvig's coaching of the Lady Griz was so groundbreaking in its day. Newspaper clips and archive images capture the rise of the team and the excitement they generated from the mid-1980s on, while interviews with contemporary girls reflect the team's continued cultural importance. This film is clearly a celebration of a beloved figure in a generations-wide local community.

The one-hour documentary is mostly talking heads, and many of Rob's former players get emotional talking about his significance and the role of the team's "sisterhood" in their lives. To hear the stories of his former players is also to understand the essential role that team sports can play in people's lives, and the opportunity that college athletic scholarships can open up for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged communities. An unnecessarily loud musical soundtrack threatens to overpower the interviewees at times, which is unfortunate because their testimonies and Rob's own memories of his coaching philosophy were certainly compelling enough to stand on their own.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the legacy of Rob Selvig described in The House That Rob Built. How did his actions affect the lives of his players?

  • Rob and the Lady Griz embody the spirit of teamwork. What are some of the rewards of teamwork depicted in this film?

  • What are some other character strengths that former players, fellow coaches, and family members highlight about Rob?

  • What are Title VI and Title IX, and why were they important? Where can you go for more information about these groundbreaking anti-discrimination laws?

Movie Details

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