Champions

Directed by Bobby Farrelly, Champions follows a hot-headed basketball coach (Woody Harrelson’s Marcus) as he’s ordered by the court to manage a team of players with intellectual disabilities. Farrelly, armed with Mark Rizzo’s screenplay, delivers a thoroughly erratic endeavor that kicks off with a tremendously appealing opening stretch, admittedly, as the filmmaker does a superb job of initially establishing the affable central character and the mess in which he finds himself – with the affable vibe perpetuated by Harrelson’s predictably charming (and completely convincing) performance. (Kaitlin Olson is equally agreeable as Marcus’ temperamental love interest, to be sure.) It’s clear, then, that the picture’s overall impact is hindered by a palpably overlong running time and ongoing emphasis on often breathtakingly hoary clichés and conventions, and while certain periphery players remain rather grating throughout, Champions‘ feel-good sensibilities go a long while towards eventually cultivating an entertaining (albeit entirely familiar and predictable) atmosphere – which, when coupled with an expectedly upbeat finale, cements the movie’s place as a likeable-enough comedy that sure could’ve used some serious streamlining.

**1/2 out of ****