Celtic Pride

Directed by Tom DeCerchio, Celtic Pride follows two basketball fans (Daniel Stern’s Mike O’Hara and Dan Aykroyd’s Jimmy Flaherty) as they attempt to secure their team’s victory by kidnapping their rival’s star player (Damon Wayans’ Lewis Scott). It’s a high-concept premise that’s employed to perpetually affable (if somewhat forgettable) effect by DeCerchio, as the filmmaker, armed with Judd Apatow’s screenplay, delivers a briskly-paced comedy that benefits from its engaging performances and smattering of laugh-out-loud funny jokes – with, in terms of the former, DeCerchio eliciting charming, engaging work from both Stern and Aykroyd. (The impact of their efforts is heightened by the palpable chemistry between their respective characters, while Wayans does a terrific job of transforming his figure into more than just a typical villain.) And while the episodic midsection does possess a rather hit-and-miss feel, Celtic Pride builds towards a satisfying third act and conclusion that confirms its place as a surprisingly decent little comedy. (And this is to say nothing of Christopher McDonald’s hilarious, scene-stealing turn as the opposing team’s loud-mouthed coach.)

*** out of ****