Blog #5 (The Replacements)

The Replacements is a film directed by Howard Deutch that stars Gene Hackman as Jimmy McGinty a former football head coach hired to coach replacement players during a players strike. This film also stars Keanu Reeves as Shane Falco, a former quarterback for The Ohio State University whose career spiraled downward after a horrible showing during the Sugar Bowl. A couple other stars in the film is Orlando Jones who plays Clifford Franklin, a stock boy turned wide receiver that can run fast but unable to catch a cold and Brooke Langton as Annabelle Farrel, the head cheerleader and love interest of Shane Falco. The film grossed eleven million dollars in its opening weekend.
The plot starts out by showing Shane Falco diving under water to clean off the keel of boats when he finds a trophy with his name on it. He then proceeds to react out a football play under water with a football. This sets the plot up by showing how the players will be coming from various jobs to form a professional football team. Their coach Jimmy McGinty handpicked each player and explained to his assistance coaches that each player brings a different aspect of the game with them.
Coach McGinty personally visits Shane Falco to offer him the quarterback position on his team. Shane explains that he is done with football but Coach McGinty offers the job anyway. Shane sits out in his truck the next day pondering if he should walked into practice. After making his decision he is confronted by the quarterback that is on strike and has his teammates tip Shane’s truck over. Shane does not flinch or make a move just continues into practice. At practice is the first time we see Shane and Annabelle react to each other and the start of a relationship.
Throughout the film the replacement players start to grow as team and are able to win two of three games played. The fourth was to be played without Shane Falco due to having the real starting quarterback cross the line and end his strike against the league. This does not set well with the team or the coach but either is able to do anything about it. After the first half the team was down 17-0 and going into the locker room a reporter asked Coach McGinty what was needed to come out and win and he stated miles and miles of heart. Watching the game from his houseboat Shane makes an entrance and says he can win with his team. He comes out and wins the game 20-17 making him the hero of the movie and allows him also to get the girl.
This movie is a great film. It has many comical parts and even has a subplot of romance. The actors really play their roles well and add their flare to the film. If you have an hour and half of time I recommend you watch this film and enjoy.