Customer Reviews

A Shot at Glory

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Robert Duvall is the quenessential actor's actor. His ability to not only morph into any role but actually disappear entirely truly makes him a national treasure. However, for this 2000 release, he becomes an international treasure in the role of coach of a second tier Scottish football team. Duvalls weathered countenance is right at home among the equally grand and haggard Scottish countryside. Michael Keaton turns in a brief but potent turn as the team's owner, set on moving the team from its small Scottish home to a bigger stadium in Dublin. The film is more of a quiet character study than an all out sports film, but the game scenes infuse the movie with surprising passion and energy. Well worth owning.

Football (otherwise known as soccer) is the great Scottish pastime as baseball is to America, and for years two teams have always dominated the sport, the Celtics and the Rangers. A Shot At Glory follows the exploits of a second division team from the small town of Kilnocke, whose owner had just hired one of the best player to ever participate in the game, Jackie McQuillan, but one problem is that he is the long estranged son-in-law of the team's head coach, Gordon McLeod. As they work their way in one of the biggest national tournament, the two of them must come to terms with their own fears and demons, and learn to put their past behind them.

A Shot At Glory is a solid movie supported by a veteran cast, Robert Duvall does a great job portraying Gordon, a man holding a long term grudge against his own daughter and his best friend, he devotes most of his time in trying to get his team to the top and the respect it deserves. Michael Keaton had a small part as Peter Cameron, the American owner of the Kilnocke team, most of his scenes were with Duvall, and the two of them contributed greatly to the success of this film. Ally McCoist plays Jackie, a talented player with an attitude, he's impulsive, explosive and rash, part of the story is about him seeking redemption in the relationship with his wife, and to a lesser extent in trying to make a come back to the sports that he loved so much.

Well acted with some of the best football action you'll ever see on screen, I really recommend A Shot At Glory to anyone who's remotely a sports fan. Don't miss your chance to catch this movie in the midst of big summer blockbusters of 2002.

The movie itself is an indistinct yarn that'll appeal to fanatical buffs of Scottish football. But there are two things that elevate it above an over-chewed sports-and-inspiration claptrap flick.

One, the delightfully convincing performance of Bob Duvall, who wraps his tongue tautly around the Scottish baroque. I rewound and watched some of his scenes twice for the pure academic pleasure of it. After seeing his caliber recently in Secondhand Lions, my respect for the thespian has grown by a factor of ten.

Second, the brilliant soundtrack, which I was surprised to read in the credits was courtesy Mark Knopfler. The sound has a dreamy tinge of Dire Straits but manages to be reminiscent of many things Celtic, much like "The Nephew", Pierce Brosnan starrer, or "Cal" with John Lynch.

I wonder why Michael Keaton was roped in to make the inconspicuous appearance he makes, as an American invester unexplainably interested in a small middle-of-nowhere Scottish team.

But despite some cheesy things, not the least of which are some fast and furious goals, it is a watchable little film overall. Especially if you are a budding sports commentator looking for a distint voice (literally).

It is easy for fans to follow the truly great clubs. and, yes, I follow Manchester United and the Glasgow Rangers. In this inspirational tale, a small town side ends up facing the Rangers for the Scottish Cup - a real shot at glory. You will have to purchase the title to find out the ending. But along the way, you will experience football (soccer) at the level where love of the game counts much more than the rewards provided by the larger clubs.

Most films that purport to be about soccer have very little actual play in them but hinge on a weak plot around a soccer player. This one had a plot and a lot of good soccer play. We love Robert Duvall and the only complaint we had with this film was that the Scottish burr was so heavy, we needed subtitles.... Kenneth Loach gives subtitles for American viewers and we could have used them here.

First off; I give this 4 stars, 4 stars in your sports film genre; 4 stars since there are not many soccer/footy movies out there and it is deserved and despite it's blemishes still has redeeming qualities to it; but if I were rating it in terms of movies in general; sure, it would probably merit 3 stars.

It is absurd I agree, the premise of the film that a team may move out of town as has happened in the USA with various sports teams, let alone move to Ireland;

But I think this movie could have been improved; the team needed motivations to win, one was to stay in their little Scottish town of Kilnockie; maybe it would have been more believable if the American owner Keaton had threatened Duvall's coaching character with being fired if the club did not have more success.

A bit more could have been made of the Celtic/Rangers rivalry; also, though it doesn't have to be wholely a film for the family, quite a few of the "f" words and other scenes could have easily been omitted and I believe it would have been better; if the DVD box claims it to be like a "Hoosiers with rowdier fans" then why not go into that direction even more? Maybe even take a page out of the Disney sports movie formula with such worthwhile watching movies as Invincible or Cool Runnings.

Good shots of football being played in the land where it was been among the top sports for a hundred years; still a decent cultural flavor of Scotland and their league can be found in this movie.

Lastly, I assume that the [sub] mark, may signify subtitles; listed on one of the DVDs; and I think, many could use this for parts of this movie; I love a good Scottish accent but I want to understand what is going on too!

I enjoy anything that stars robert duvall - his efforts in this movie were well rewarded.

A wonderful, authentic football movie highlighting the plight of a small second division Scottish side, it's cranky manager (Duvall) and his successes on and off the pitch .. ..

Beware however, that if you are not a true football fan, you will probably find the movie (and it's euro terminology) quite confusing and boring .. .. For me though, I found it as sweet as a great cup of java on a cold English morning .. ..

Duvall plays the obsessed Scottish Manager who is dueling with American owner (Michael Keaton)over the future of the club .. .. Keaton brings in a former great in the person of ex-Rangers great ALLY MCCOIST who plays not only the aging savior, but Duvall's son-in-law .. ..

Of course the tension doesn't end there .. .. Emotions are frayed as boozing, womanizing McCoist has seperated from his wife and hating the idea of playing in the "bus leagues" where he started .. .. The stunning KIRSTY MITCHELL plays Duvall's daughter and those aqua eyes are worthy the price of admission alone .. .. Those sweet eyes are not happy ones as Duvall has distanced her because of her marriage against Duvall's wishes .. ..

With McCoist trying to hande his pop-in-law, Duvall's side gets hot and wins promotion to the Scottish Premier League along with a match vs. powerhouse GLASGOW RANGERS in the final of the Scottish Cup .. .. No hints here, see the movie .. ..

The action scenes are realistic as they were filmed by former World Cup broadcasters with real-life commentary by current Sky Sports talent .. .. The lush landscape and village scenery gives who a terrific feel for the locals and their town .. ..

The real shock came with the terrific performance by McCoist .. .. He played for Rangers for 15 years, starred on the Scotland National Team and was Europe's top scorer in 1992 .. .. All the footage of him scoring in years past was actually him!!

All in all - A must-see for all football devotees, as well as Duvall fans .. .. See how well he pulls off his working-class Scottish accent .. ..

A gently-paced, character driven sports story with some terrific performances and a sense of feelgood spirit that never delves into that Disney-movie level of storytelling. Robert Duvall is nothing short of fantastic but Michael Keaton was given very little to do, in my opinion. The supporting cast, most of whom are unknown to American viewers, were talented, watchable and charming. Mr. Duvall's work with (onscreen daughter) Kirsty Mitchell was especially touching.

I think Duval did well, with his accent and acting. The supporting actors were great as well. The football scenes infected me with excitement too! kind of wee nutter.:-)