Vision Quest: The Most Underrated Sports Movie Ever Made?

by Scipio Tex on Apr 25, 2011 11:59 PM CDT

In 1985, a film called Vision Quest (based on the novel of the same name) performed a double leg takedown on coming of age sports movies. It got into my head when I first saw it and it never left. The movie still holds up 25+ years later, its realism and understatement in stark relief to today's imperative for exaggerated stakes and stylized action.

It's a minority view: it made a modest 13 million dollars in theaters, rates a 6 out of 10 on IMDB, and sits at a smooth 58% on Rotten Tomatoes. It's generally dismissed by critics as a harmless piece of 1980s formula. It isn't. The passage of time has only served to highlight the uniqueness of this film.

It's About Sports, But It's Not About Sports

The plot is straightforward: a high school wrestler named Louden Swain, raised by a single father after the family lost their farm, decides to cut two weight classes to take on the baddest wrestler in the state. His resolve is tested by Linda Fiorentino-induced priapism and a nitrogen imbalance caused by his starvation diet.

Great sports movies (and books) manage to simultaneously have nothing to do with sport and everything to do with sport. As in the central message of a wrestling movie expressed by a Victorian poet:

That Louden Swain, obsessive jock, is also contemplative and highly intelligent is the films first pivot away from convention.

While wrestling is only a vehicle for the hero's quest for self, that vehicle is respected: the wrestling is real, there is no cinematic flourish, and the depiction of the ancient sport reveals the accompanying age-old questions that mirror the human condition: am I good enough? Am I strong enough? Do I have the courage? Am I going to be humiliated in front of everyone? Why not take the easy road?

A champion grappler called Plato tried to make sense of the same eternal questions.

But he did it Greek and gay.

Here's one of my favorite scenes in the film, as Louden attempts to scout his undefeated rival, Shute:

That's a great slice of film making. He settles in, recorder in hand, Shute utterly obliterates the opponent; the cheering crowd obscures everything until the reveal: Louden's aghast WTF expression as he struggles to make sense of what he just saw. He never said a word into the recorder after his intro. The scene ends with his head buried in his hands to the opening chords of Lunatic Fringe.

Speaking of soundtracks...

Soundtrack Of Ruminative Pining

It's a sports movie. It's an 80s movie. We've got to talk soundtrack.

Vision Quest features the first cinematic glimpse of Madonna singing Crazy 4 U pre-faux English accent; Red Rider's haunting Lunatic Fringe; Journey's Only The Young which serves the purpose of all Journey songs and lightly buttered popcorn; and my favorite -Change by John Waite, a masterpiece of 80's pop motivational angst.

Let it wash over you, reader. Let it carry you to a simpler time.

By the way, you know that Change is a winning pop song when you hear the opening guitar licks and lyrics that begin with "People talking..."

"People talking" are the opening lyrics for 61% of the pop songs written between 1979-1986. People were always talking in the 1980s. Lots of word out on the street. Scuttlebutt abounded. Back then you could just pull up to any group of kids and ask, "You people talking?" Then they'd tell you about the goings on of your girlfriend. Then you could go and confront your girl and say, "People talking." And she'd own up to her betrayals immediately. You'd ride out of that one stoplight town in your T-bird, fueled only by dreams.

That's how it all worked before texting.

Originality

Describing a movie's basic archetypal arc as unoriginal is the most banal of criticisms. There are few truly original stories. The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Odyssey, and The Bible weren't breaking all that much new ground in their day and no one has done much since. Focus on execution and originality of character. A good sports movie is like the Lombardi Power Sweep - you know what's coming, but if the script and acting work in concert, the chains are going to move. Vision Quest has originality because the characters are developed. And for what it doesn't try to do.

Refreshing Absence of Rape Woman/Kill Dog

Today's go-to audience manipulation device is what I like to call Rape Woman/Kill Dog. Or, if you prefer, the RoethlisVick method. It's my umbrella term for all cheap cinematic emotional manipulation meant to establish a character or group of people as bad with little skill or caloric expenditure and it's descriptive of the most likely vehicle for doing so.

I'll explain.

Movies like to establish the villainy of the antagonist early on with two popular devices: the killing of the hero's golden retriever and some variety of sexual assault on the hero's love interest - actual or threatened: "After I'm done with him, it's just me and you." One possible manipulation of this convention would be to switch the two acts around, but to date this has only been explored in German cinema. Molesting the heroes pet is, if you think about it, serious psychological scoreboard.

Did it have to be a service dog? Have you no decency, sir?

Other favored forms of RWKD are elder abuse, taunting the disabled, slapping a woman extra hard both sides, having a Dick Cheney-like vibe, and littering. Littering is the most inflammatory.

The RWKD trend didn't start in the last decade, but the acceleration of its use has been marked in any film with Vin Deisel. What better way to set an audience against a rival than 20 seconds of screen time showing the villain advancing menacingly on a labradoodle/girlfriend followed by fade to black and the off-camera sound of a dog's barking ending abruptly or a bonnet ripping?

Vision Quest refreshingly ignores this convention. Primarily by not having a villain. Take Shute, the rival. View the story from his perspective:

He hears word (peeeeople talking!) that a very good wrestler two weight classes above his is dramatically cutting weight to take him on, this wrestler stalks him at his matches, calls him out while he's carrying a telephone pole up some football bleachers, and generally makes it known to everyone in their small town that his singular life focus is to destroy him. This Swain lunatic gets constant nose bleeds, hangs out with a fake Indian, and sprints everywhere in a cellophane jogging suit. Shute reacts by having a moderately tense face off with him in a hallway and then wrestles him fairly. He gets beaten. After the only loss of his high school career, he walks off the mat.

I submit that today's overwrought film making would have had things go down differently. Louden's unemployed Dad would have been fired by Shute's father, prompting him to drive off of a Spokane dam, Shute and three friends would beat up Louden in slow motion using karate-wrestling while wearing skeleton masks after the father's funeral, molest Linda Fiorentino, then run over Louden's Bernese Mountain Dog with a back hoe after putting cayenne pepper in his wrestling singlet. In the match itself, Shute would blind Louden with a gunpowder mix exhaled from his mouth like The Great Kabuki shortly after Shute's coach slashes Swain's Achilles tendon under a bathroom stall during his pre-match piss. When Louden pins Shute, Shute attempts a sneaky attack post-fight, halted only by Linda Fiorentino hitting him with a folding chair while saying," Take a seat."

Adults Are Not The Enemy

Refreshingly, every adult male in the movie has Louden's best interests at heart. Every. Single. One. His Dad, his cool English teacher mentor, his coach, the alcoholic hotel cook. To whatever degree that they do briefly act as obstacles to Louden's ambitions, if at all, it is expressed in genuine concern for his well-being or to serve as a caution that his quest for glory also affects those around him.

Please contrast this to the conventions of the last two decades: the bumbling idiot sitcom Dad, the hard-driving evil coach, the soulless corporatist parents trapped in the American consumerist lie, the serially abusive Dad, mother, coach, brother, oboist. All a necessary backdrop for pure-hearted teens fighting to escape the clutches of oppressive scheming adults. Just go watch American Beauty. You'll get the drift.

Speaking of adult themes...

Linda Fiorentino

There was a time when women were considered attractive without the aid of compounds from the periodic table of elements injected into their bodies and their eye make up wasn't applied with a sharpie. They did things like wander around the house in their panties and a button down shirt. None of them were remotely interested in joining a rock climbing gym.

This movie has a young Linda Fiorentino. With fantastic big hair.

If you've bought none of my other arguments, this movie demands your respect on that basis alone.

Six Minutes Of Glory

Louden isn't trying to save the park, stop a chemical spill, expose government corruption, or win prize money to pay for his mother's kidney transplant. He isn't wrestling a racist, a polluter, al Queda cells, or a Marxist pederast. He's pushing himself for glory. Good old fashioned, selfish glory. He tests his limits, grows a bit as a person, inspires others briefly, but few lessons are learned, the stakes are small and personal, and the world keeps on spinning round.

Amen.

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Comments

I take it you spent the weekend at the cabin.

by Vasherized on Apr 26, 2011 12:21 AM CDT reply actions

Also features Dio’s Hungry for Heaven. This is my favorite kind of movie in that there was no hype and I had no expectations going in. It was a pleasant surprise when I saw it (Capital Plaza I think) and it does hold up. And it had Journey ( Only the Young was an underrated tune, much like the movie) and Dio and Linda.

by Juice on Apr 26, 2011 12:21 AM CDT reply actions

It most certainly is.

by Uncle Teardrop on Apr 26, 2011 12:33 AM CDT reply actions

Pankration sensation.

Take a seat, indeed.

by Drew Dunlevie on Apr 26, 2011 1:45 AM CDT reply actions

had to look up priapism – unfortunately im on my work cpu
thanks for that Scip

by Castle ARRRGGGHHH! on Apr 26, 2011 4:02 AM CDT reply actions

“We were hoping for a Vision Quest,
We opened up three buttons,
but all we saw was desert trash”

by Toadvine on Apr 26, 2011 4:53 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks for the memories. Saw the film on cable back then and it was reminiscent of personal and much more private efforts at physical transformation (running a 5 minute mile, benching 250) from a few years earlier.

by hopefulhorn on Apr 26, 2011 8:03 AM CDT reply actions

Obviously one of my favorites.

A nice girl met at Halls, Frozen margaritas, Vision Quest, fornication. Rinse, repeat.

by lowdenswain on Apr 26, 2011 8:22 AM CDT reply actions

Excellent post, scip. I saw that in the theater. Was partial to Madonna’s “Crazy for You.” Also liked the lemay space suit Modine was wearing.

Wowy zowy, a Halls reference in the responses. I can taste the home grown extacy and smell the poppers now. The 80s on 6th Street were a pharmaceutical testing ground.

And for you random reference of the day, wowy zowy on youtube gets you this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRghrHsMjbw

by Texoz on Apr 26, 2011 8:44 AM CDT reply actions

The most underrated sports movie ever made is The Best of Times. Don’t bother arguing, I’ve run the tests.

by nordberg on Apr 26, 2011 8:57 AM CDT reply actions

Great post. Shute still is a monster and I love watching the pegboard scene anytime I need to get fired up. May have to change my general ringtone to “Change” or just anything by Journey. Where is my denim jacket with its collar permanently popped?

I have a group of friends who regularly debate various top 5 lists, including top 5 sports movies. I am regularly ridiculed for my inclusion of Visionquest on this list and appreciate some recognition of the film… Feel free to discuss the top 5 sports movies of all time—but take note that if Hoosiers is not on the list, you are going to hell.

by McPuddingpop on Apr 26, 2011 8:58 AM CDT reply actions

Nordberg – Reno Hightower and his white shoes do provide some compelling evidence to support your argument. Nice work

by McPuddingpop on Apr 26, 2011 9:00 AM CDT reply actions

Louden isn’t trying to save the park, stop a chemical spill, expose government corruption, or win prize money to pay for his mother’s kidney transplant. He isn’t wrestling a racist, a polluter, al Queda cells, or a Marxist pederast. He’s pushing himself for glory. Good old fashioned, selfish glory. He tests his limits, grows a bit as a person, inspires others briefly, but few lessons are learned, the stakes are small and personal, and the world keeps on spinning round.

Did he wrestle Mr. T in the sequel?

by BrickHorn on Apr 26, 2011 9:26 AM CDT reply actions

How timely. I literally used the “You can’t hold your mud” line on my son yesterday when he fell of his ripstick.

by Horncasting on Apr 26, 2011 9:38 AM CDT reply actions

One of my fav sports movies and in my dvd collection. The fake indian is the guy who played Jake in Sixteen Candles.

by number2 on Apr 26, 2011 9:39 AM CDT reply actions

I was up at 5 this morning changing my 5 month old son when I randomly started screeching at him “Naaaked as the the day that_you_were_BORN !” a la Joe Walsh.

It’s an odd coincidence to then read this and its link to Lunatic Fringe. Along with The Confessor and Lunatic Fringe, my 80’s pre-pubertal flange rock trifecta would be completed by Billy Thorpe’s Children of the Sun.

by triplehorn on Apr 26, 2011 9:54 AM CDT reply actions

“Molesting the heroes pet is, if you think about it, serious psychological scoreboard.”

Just like sleeping on your friend’s coach naked. Otis isn’t my type.

by magnusbleuveigner on Apr 26, 2011 10:11 AM CDT reply actions

Not sure if that was supposed to be coach or couch – I can see how either one could be disconcerting.

by nobis60 on Apr 26, 2011 10:56 AM CDT reply actions

Go back one generation and Bang The Drum Slowly gets the nod for a lot of us.

Another straightforward plot, told in a far superior manner than Brian’s Song. It also is full of adults who are neither heroes nor villians, just humans trying to do the best they can.

Of course having Robert De Niro and Michael Moriarty at the start of their careers doesn’t hurt either.

“From here on in, I rag nobody.”

by srr50 on Apr 26, 2011 11:00 AM CDT reply actions

“Just like sleeping on your friend’s coach naked.”

FTW!

by Ricky on Apr 26, 2011 11:03 AM CDT reply actions

Watching Linda Fiorentino was worth the price of admission, especially when she’s walking around in his shirt the morning after she “Maggie May’d” his ass.

One of the sexiest chicks in the past twenty years, IMO. The Last Seduction.

by Frank the Plank on Apr 26, 2011 12:27 PM CDT reply actions

Until this instant, I’d been unable to pinpoint why modern movies are so terrible. I feel enlightened and free… and for some reason I feel the urge to go rape dogs.

by texasengr on Apr 26, 2011 12:32 PM CDT reply actions

Less sporty (Jeff Bridges as an ex-football player) but also good from the year before “Vision Quest” is “Against All Odds.”

A loose remake of “Out of the Past” starring Rachel Ward, James Woods, and Alex Karras. Jane Greer and Richard Widmark thrown in for good measure. If you lived through this era, the trailer will make you smile:

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1219821849/

by parlin on Apr 26, 2011 12:55 PM CDT reply actions

Juice -

Good call on Dio. Capital Plaza – wow. Memories.

Castle -

It is a legitimate medical term. Thus you cannot be reprimanded by your corporate masters.

hopeful -

I’m pretty convinced running VQ and all Rocky training scenes on a TV loop increases adherence to exercise regimens by 81%.

lowdenswain -

Halls. Quite a blast from the past. when did that place close down?

nordberg -

You always were pretty fast for a Caucasian. That’s an excellent entry. Rated a 5.6 on IMDB. What is wrong with people?

McPuddingPop -

I have similar discussions. I end them quickly when younger guys try to advance movies like Any Given Sunday or The Program.

Hoosiers is, of course, in my Top 5 list. It’s #1. Hoop Dreams has to be there. Have to have Rocky. The other spots are contested between Raging Bull, Slap Shot, Caddyshack etc.

Can A River Runs Through It be considered a “sports movie?” No. Feels like cheating.

I’d also add the documentary Touching The Void.

Anyone who mocks Vision Quest self-declares as a person you need to monitor going forward.

number 2-

Yeah. Michael Schoeffling aka Jake Ryan, every girl’s first crush. He apparently quit acting and now makes furniture in rural Pennsylvania. He was a junior Olympic level wrestler, so naturally he had to take a dive for Modine as Kuch.

horncasting -

I approve. Your son will benefit from your gruff mockery.

srr50 -

Very good movie. The pacing and attention to character in movies from the 1970s and early 1980s was so different from today’s film.

I saw Brian’s Song again recently. It came across as pretty dated, frankly, though Billy Dee still got me with his locker room speech.

by Scipio Tex on Apr 26, 2011 1:12 PM CDT reply actions

parlin -

I forgot that Against All Odds had Alex Karras in it.

MONGO STOP JEFF BRIDGES!

by Scipio Tex on Apr 26, 2011 1:15 PM CDT reply actions

@srr50:

Its having been based on a great novel by Mark Harris didn’t hurt either. And while Bang the Drum may have been underrated as to box office, it was not underrated at the time by true sports fans nor the sports and film cognescenti (?). Both the book and movie won critical acclaim as the best sports novel/movie of their time by many sports writers and sports publications such as SI, etc and as a great movie by many film groups and critics. De Niro won some noted Film Critic type Awards and Vince Gardenia got an Oscar nominatiion out of it. Well written, well cast and with a moving story line about sports, mortality and deep friendship. It had it all, and not just as a sports movie.

While with some friends attending a birthday bash, I met Michael Morioraty in the upstairs cigar room at Louie V’s circa 1993 or so. He was very friendly and engaging to a bunch of local drunks. He was going strong in Law & order at that point and we talked about that, but when I asked him if he could guess my favorite thing he ever did he quickly said, “Bang the Drum, and it’s my favorite, too”. It remains in my all time fav, just ahead of Bull Durham.

I originally watched Vision Quest with my oldest son and couldn’t stop watching it, waiting dilligently for the Maggie May scene with Fiorentino…well worth the wait. I have seen it since, and appreciated it the second time around for the musical context and quality of content as well. It’s definitely a Top 5 of mine, along with Hoosiers and Caddyshack (if that qualifies as a sports movie).

by Frank the Plank on Apr 26, 2011 1:44 PM CDT reply actions

“Refreshingly, every adult male in the movie has Louden’s best interests at heart. Every. Single. One. His Dad, his cool English teacher mentor, his coach, the alcoholic hotel cook. To whatever degree that they do briefly act as obstacles to Louden’s ambitions, if at all, it is expressed in genuine concern for his well-being or to serve as a caution that his quest for glory also affects those around him.”

- I agree, as long as we agree that the swish trying to give Louden a Tia Chi lesson was not an adult. This movie has always stuck with me as well, good call.

by dasmithjones on Apr 26, 2011 2:07 PM CDT reply actions

I always loved Louden’s reaction to the gay pass. He hauls ass and while he’s waiting at the elevator, starts cranking out push ups to cope with what just happened.

by Scipio Tex on Apr 26, 2011 2:17 PM CDT reply actions

American Flyers anyone? I used to like it as a kid.
Even if you hate Costner you can still enjoy the fact that his character has a terminal disease.

by nordberg on Apr 26, 2011 2:28 PM CDT reply actions

Great movie. Actually enjoyed the book even more. In the book, Shute’s not even portrayed as a jerk…nor is Otto, the meathead with the stellar haircut, from Louden’s team.

by WestCoaster on Apr 26, 2011 2:30 PM CDT reply actions

I am going to second American Flyers norgberg. I was thinking about it when the top 5 issue came to fore.

by dasmithjones on Apr 26, 2011 2:31 PM CDT reply actions

WestCoaster -

Also, the book reveals no winner. It ends with Louden stepping into the ring and as the whistle blows, he has a premonition of victory.

By the way, it’s a good book for boys junior high age and up.

by Scipio Tex on Apr 26, 2011 2:33 PM CDT reply actions

Can’t believe that Lattimer from The Program isn’t getting more love.

by nobis60 on Apr 26, 2011 2:34 PM CDT reply actions

Amazing Grace and Chuck imo. Little league baseball, nuclear proliferation in the ‘80s, Gregory Peck as POTUS, shadowy corporate evil dudes, Jamie Lee Curtis’ legs, and a sterling, Oscar worthy performance by Alex “so what if I read my lines of cue cards” English. Oh yeah….. Gil Grissom kickin’ some tail.

If that’s not realism, I don’t know what is. (Holding 3 fingers in the air for my man Amazing).

I win.

by A-Tex Devil on Apr 26, 2011 2:36 PM CDT reply actions

RWKD is the best acronym of all time!

Great write up. I saw it 5 years ago and kinda forgot about it.

by mike crabtree on Apr 26, 2011 3:13 PM CDT reply actions

Another audience manipulation device not far removed from the RothlisVick method is the Captor/Captive dynamic. While German cinema is not known for exploring this, Germans win top medal for having inspired it elsewhere.

Relevant sports movies are ‘Victory’ where Pele goes Jesse Owens on the Nazis, and ‘The Longest Yard’.

Speaking of, anyone else seen the captor/captive sports themed movie involving Spanish conquistadors versus Aztecs laying it all out on the ullamaliztli tlachtli in a game of Mesoamerican ball? The one with the mind fuck at the end where the winners have their throats ripped out in sacrifice to keep the sun moving through the sky. It’s been awhile.

by triplehorn on Apr 26, 2011 3:15 PM CDT reply actions

No I haven’t, but thanks for the spoiler warning asshole.

by nordberg on Apr 26, 2011 3:48 PM CDT reply actions

Does “Over The Top” count as a sports movie?

by The Republic on Apr 26, 2011 4:13 PM CDT reply actions

Vision Quest was and maybe still is an anthem for high school wrestlers. The sound track played at every single wrestling meet I ever went too, and like you say it still rings true today. Although I’m pretty sure the mom squad has eliminated weight cutting much less cutting two weight classes. However, the wrestling is for the most part convincing unlike say Tim Robbins trying to pitch in Bull Durham or Wesley Snipes pretending like he can play basketball in White Men Can’t jump—which aside from snipes is also a pretty good sports movie. Woody Harrelson actually does have some basketball skills.

I have to add Breaking Away (not top 5) as a good sports movie although there is a bit of the RWKD (not an acronym by the way since it doesn’t actually spell a word i.e. RADAR). Of course maybe its more nostalgia for my hot 7th grade teacher who first introduced me to the film.

by roach on Apr 26, 2011 4:17 PM CDT reply actions

Scip – Hoosiers is clearly #1. Have to agree that Raging Bull and Slap Shot would likely make the list. I have always disagreed with Caddyshack being a sports movie, so it doesn’t make my top 5 sports movies list but is an all-time favorite. Never seen the documentary of Touching the Void, but read the book and it was great. Combine that with “Alive” and a trip to the Peruvian Andes is about number 1,321 on my list of things to do…

I really can’t think of a recently made movie (last 15 years) that would make the list. Miracle would be an honorable mention. And speaking of hockey movies, I’m sure Huckleberry would pipe up and state his preference for Youngblood solely because Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, and Keanu Reeves are naked at various times. I feel for your interns when he announces mandatory attendance at office screenings.

A great BC poll would be for all to screen Visionquest (or a sports-themed movie selected by BC management) and have all provide their central casting take on what barkers would comprise the cast.

With regard to Visionquest – tough one but would have to probably throw out that Sailor Ripley would make a great Otto while Trips Right would likely be the tai-chi guy trying to grab Louden’s junk in the hotel room. Bob in Houston (in drag of course) would make a great Linda Fiorentino.

by McPuddingpop on Apr 26, 2011 4:19 PM CDT reply actions

Just laughed aloud at Republic’s “Over the Top” reference. Lincoln Hawk was the greatest of all time. and I still remembering watching in abject horror as the crazy guy ate a lit cigar and drank a quart of motor oil in efforts to psyche out his opponent.

by McPuddingpop on Apr 26, 2011 4:20 PM CDT reply actions

“Live in gash”.

Still love that from this movie.

by thirtyand0 on Apr 26, 2011 9:09 PM CDT reply actions

Fellas- the female perspective. These 5 will all have a happy ending:

Ice Castles
Brians Song (& something for Joey maybe)
All the Right Moves
Wildcats (Goldie Hawn is so cute)
Remember the Titans
(I’m sure others work, but this will do for now)

by Robin Herman on Apr 26, 2011 10:59 PM CDT reply actions

Ice Castles? A Robby Benson film about ice skating???

Robin, we here at BC appreciate any and all contributions to the dialogue - HOWEVER — even we have our limits and this pushes the envelope of what is acceptable here right to the edge.

by srr50 on Apr 27, 2011 8:26 AM CDT reply actions

KINGPIN.

Game. Over.

by Vasherized on Apr 27, 2011 8:33 AM CDT reply actions

Victory has to be there. Nazis, Pele, Stallone, and bunch of famous soccer players. The allies turn down a sure escape to play the second half of the beautiful game that culminates in Sly making a diving save. Great stuff.

By the way, great post. I’m gonna hit the gym this week because of it.

by Trips Right on Apr 27, 2011 8:46 AM CDT reply actions

srr50 has done countless hours of research, and has determined, finally, that The Cutting Edge >> Ice Castles. I however still have my doubts.

Does Teen Wolf count?

by nordberg on Apr 27, 2011 8:54 AM CDT reply actions

srr50 said: April 27th, 2011 at 6:26 am
Ice Castles? A Robby Benson film about ice skating???

Robin, we here at BC appreciate any and all contributions to the dialogue — HOWEVER — even we have our limits and this pushes the envelope of what is acceptable here right to the edge.

Did someone say, “The Cutting Edge?”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mrnd-rO456Q

by Texoz on Apr 27, 2011 8:55 AM CDT reply actions

Texoz I don’t know if that is shameful or impressive.

by nordberg on Apr 27, 2011 8:58 AM CDT reply actions

Lets not forget Henry Steele.

For those too young for “One on One” its JCaiden Brown’s freshman year playing for Bobby Knight while being tutored by Crystal Bowersox.

“Coach………………..Up yours with a red hot poker, I can play anywhere I want”

by lowdenswain on Apr 27, 2011 10:46 AM CDT reply actions

Love seeing this moving get some recognition. I often thought no one watched this movie except fellow wrestlers. I spent many weekends in those trash bag suits trying to make weight. Great memories. Thanks for the post.

by Jerry on Apr 27, 2011 11:28 AM CDT reply actions

@roach

Hey man don’t worry. Cutting weight is still alive and well in high school wrestling. Senior year (2004-2005) I cut from 165 summer weight to 135 lb weight class. Talking about eating 2 power bars a day and running nine miles. it fucking BLEW. but its a mental thing, especially looking at a well stocked pantry and leaving it alone. I used to spend alot of time doing that. Victory was worth it.

by Johnny Chimpo on Apr 27, 2011 11:28 AM CDT reply actions

Chimpo

Nice! I don’t have the authority to award tote bags, but you get bonus points if you ran your nine miles in wrestling shoes.

by roach on Apr 27, 2011 11:44 AM CDT reply actions

“By the way, great post. I’m gonna hit the gym this week because of it.”

Ha ha ha ha!

by magnusbleuveigner on Apr 27, 2011 12:02 PM CDT reply actions

nordberg said: April 27th, 2011 at 6:58 am
Texoz I don’t know if that is shameful or impressive.
It’s impressively shameful, and the only explanation is that one of us is a doppleganger.

Do you like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain?

by Texoz on Apr 27, 2011 12:03 PM CDT reply actions

srr50 – just trying to help your homunculus get a dose of oxytocin via chic-approved sports flicks

by Robin Herman on Apr 27, 2011 1:30 PM CDT reply actions

I didn’t notice if it was mentioned but John Irving shares your approval, at least in novel form. The thing I liked about Vision Quest was the way Modine built up this ‘enemy’ to fuel his own competitiveness and personal journey ( the whole thing is a textbook bildungsroman) without actually making him into a caricature of evil or some shlocky bad guy, just as you pointed out. He knowingly used Shute as a catalyst to push himself, much like Bird wondered every day how many shots Magic had taken that day and if he had worked as hard.

And the People Talking section was funny as shit.

by Doperbo on Apr 27, 2011 2:34 PM CDT reply actions

You’ve always been our Stephen Dedalus.

by Sailor Ripley on Apr 27, 2011 4:48 PM CDT reply actions

So does the six minutes I spent reading this post count for something?

by exuLt on Apr 27, 2011 6:56 PM CDT reply actions

Robin -

We appreciate your participation. I’m disappointed you didn’t mention Bring It On! Cheerleaders are athletes too, you know.

exuLt -

It does. You raised each one of us, if only for a moment.

by Scipio Tex on Apr 27, 2011 8:59 PM CDT reply actions

I had expected some mention of Breaking Away by now, but no worries. That was another favorite sport movie for me. I liked the Cutters vs. Yuppies class element of that movie. Now the middle-class – what little is left of it – have morphed into a bunch of eco-friendly, consumerist Gruppies all commonly bound by a cloud of social networks and Starbuck’s chains.

by TexMexBuddha on Apr 28, 2011 11:49 AM CDT reply actions

One of my all time ‘under the radar’ movies.

One where I am pretty sure I like it more than every person I know.

by huge on Apr 28, 2011 2:54 PM CDT reply actions

TexMex -

Breaking Away is a great flick. Another film built on character development and small stakes. It doesn’t make my Top 5, but I’ll watch it anytime it’s on.

huge -

Exactly. When I start ranting about how good it is, people just look at me blankly. Then they mention their fondness for Never Back Down.

by Scipio Tex on Apr 28, 2011 4:48 PM CDT reply actions

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