Product Details

• Actors: Joe Bays, Susan M. Carr, Vincent D'Onofrio, Denise Kaye (II), Terry Kinney
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• VHS Release Date: November 7, 2000
• Run Time: 126 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305601003
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #336,979 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

When an all-star team of great actors runs a play with drama and depth, everyone is a winner. That Championship Season is purely an actor's game. And no wonder. The author is actor Jason Miller (who played the fallen priest in The Exorcist), and when the author is an actor, the goal in the game is character. Miller's script constantly reveals new layers through the characters' intense, emotional scenes. Twenty years after five underdogs won the state basketball championship, they are cheered at a reunion and head home to reminisce. Now their big play is to get their friend George re-elected as mayor, but the years have driven wedges between the men and celebration turns to bitterness and recrimination. None of the characters turns out as you might expect, and everybody gets their chance to prove themselves. Tony Shalhoub (George) may be the mayor but has no control over his life or destiny. Terry Kinney (James) seems to be a beacon of responsibility, but failure has made him mean and vindictive. Vincent D'Onofrio (Phil) is the town success but spiritually impoverished. The film's executive producer is Gary Sinise, who plays Tom, the conscience of the group despite his alcoholism. Appropriately, the coach is played by director Paul Sorvino in a performance laden with paradox, veering from paternal to bestial. That Championship Season is a powerful portrait of disappointment and friendship that uncovers the sadness beneath the bravado of sports champions through the thespian teamwork of five leading film talents. --Lloyd Chesley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good drama, interesting characters, August 2, 2005

By 

H. Gamble (Melb, Aus) - See all my reviews

This review is from: That Championship Season (DVD)

Overall I enjoyed this movie very much, after a slow start. It was adapted from a play, and this shows; especially in the fact that the action is set almost entirely in one location. At first I thought this made the movie a little boring, but as the plot and characters developed it actually became quite interesting.

The movie is very much character driven, it is about four ex-basketball players and their coach who get together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of a championship win at the coach's house. All five principal characters are flawed and to an extent dissatisfied with their lives. The storyline is basically about how these flaws and frustrations create conflict between the characters and how all of these tensions come to the surface on this night.

I thought that the acting was excellent, and even though the characters come across as ammoral and even pathetic, the viewer can relate to them because they are after all, flawed humans, just like everyone else. My only criticism would be of Gary Sinise's character; an alcholic whose role in the film was mainly to show-up the weaknesses of the other characters. His sarcastic remarks became a little annoying firstly because what he was pointing out was obvious anyway; and secondly because he was hardly a model of a well-adjusted person himself.

So I would definitely recommend this movie as an interesting character study.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars the best drama iv'e seen in a while, April 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: That Championship Season [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I cant beileve that this movie has only rented seven times in the video store i work in. It is the best drama iv'e seen in a long time great acting from everybody especially Paul Sorvino. It will make think about your life and what happens when you get close to too 40. And also being betrayed by your closest friends

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Best movies I have ever seen, January 25, 2008

By 

Darlene Lindsey M "Darlene" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: That Championship Season (DVD)

It burns me. Leonard Maltin's 2005 movie review doesn't even mention this version. The 1982 version, which he does mention, cannot even compare. That version, with Robert Mitchum, was ill-conceived and Mitchum was miss-cast. But the performances by all in this 1999 version is outstanding, especially Paul Sorvino who appeared in both versions.
Both Sorvino's acting and directing in this movie is top shelf and I believe a reflection of his experience from having been in the earlier version. There will, of course, be someone who will see racism, male superiority complex, etc which of course is all bull. The fact is that this movie is just plain great acting and directing with outstanding character developement and is worth watching over and over again.

DM