Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Glory Days...., April 19, 2004
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.
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A hidden gem among great sports film, May 7, 2002
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.
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
DRIFTY FILM, BUT FINE ACTING AND A STIRRING SOUNDTRACK, August 20, 2004
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).
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