Forever Strong (2008)
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29% of critics liked it
(21 reviews) -
76% of users liked it
(9,367 ratings)
A talented but troubled high-school rugby star gets a second shot at redemption after being sentenced to serve time in a Salt Lake City boys' home and landing a coveted spot on the famed Highland High School rugby team in this inspirational sports drama from director Ryan Little (Saints and… More A talented but troubled high-school rugby star gets a second shot at redemption after being sentenced to serve time in a Salt Lake City boys' home and landing a coveted spot on the famed Highland High School rugby team in this inspirational sports drama from director Ryan Little (Saints and Soldiers, Everything You Want). Rick Penning (Sean Faris ) was the star player on his Arizona rugby team until his life took a turn for the worse. Now, after a fateful brush with the law, Rick finds himself out of the spotlight and forced to ponder the consequences of his actions in a Salt Lake City juvenile detention center. As fate would have it, however, Salt Lake's famed Highland High rugby team could use a player like Rick. With a little help from coach Larry Gelwix (Gary Cole), Rick may even be able to lead the Highland High team to the national championships. When Rick discovers that the team they'll be competing against is none other than his old team from Arizona, which is coached by his father, Richard Penning (Neal McDonough), the deciding game takes on a newfound sense of gravity in the eyes of the ambitious young athlete. Arielle Kebbel and Sean Astin co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Directed By
- Ryan Little
- Written By
- David Pliler
- Genres
- Drama
- In Theaters
- Sep 26, 2008 Wide
- Studio
- Crane Movie Company
Critic Reviews
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Joe Leydon, Variety
This earnest indie production comes across like formulaic fiction while taking cues (and recycling cliches) from the 'inspirational sports drama' playbook.
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V.A. Musetto, New York Post
As directed by Ryan Little and written by David Pliler, Forever Strong dredges up every sports movie cliché and stereotype ever invented. (Cue the slow-mo in the rain.)
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Michael Ordońa, Los Angeles Times
The movie is well shot and edited, the rugby scenes are enjoyable (if likely puzzling to the uninitiated) and Strong's earnestness excuses at least some of its predictability.
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Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
The whole package here is warmed-over mush from a hundred other sports movies, a tale padded out with game footage, training sequences, absurd coincidences, life lessons that teach nothing and wasted casting.
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Adam Markovitz, Entertainment Weekly
Shares the secret sin of many a pigskin pic: Despite all the macho posturing, the corny story is just as sappy as anything on Lifetime.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Sean Faris
as Rick Penning
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Gary Cole
as Coach Larry Gelwix
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Sean Astin
as Marcus Tate
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Neal McDonough
as Coach Richard Penning
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Penn Badgley
as Lars
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Arielle Kebbel
as Emily
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Julie Warner
as Natalie Penning
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Eliot Benjamin
as Marty
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Michael J. Pagan
as Kurt
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Nathan West
as Quentin
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Max Kasch
as Griggs
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Tyler Kain
as Tami
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John Kepa Kruse
as Tumo
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Junior Salt
as Peeta
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Jeremy Isaiah Earl
as Sanchez
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Larry Bagby
as Coach Cal
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K. Danor Gerald
as Coach JT
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Leroy "Big Budda" Teo
as Bingham
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Andrew Roach
as Joey
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William Rubio
as Ernesto
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Teddi Siddall
as Cathy Gelwix
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Olesya Rulin
as Emily's Friend
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Elizabeth Hansen
as Judge Alvarez
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Joey Miyashima
as Defense Attorney
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Laurn McNight
as Gina
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Jimmy Chunga
as Max Griffin
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Brian Peck
as Colton Mcdonald
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David Fox
as Radio Commentator
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Matthew Flynn Bellows
as Highland Player #1
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Maclain Nelson
as Scotland Player
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Britani Bateman
as Renee Tate
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Taylor Bateman
as Samatha Tate
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Mark Ormsby
as Field Referee #1
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Mark Numbers
as Field Referee #2
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Haloti Liavaa
as Field Referee #3
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Larry Gelwix
as Field Referee #4
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Dean Grace
as Field Referee #5
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Mike Laws
as Field Referee #6
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Rick Spencer
as Athletic Trainer
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Irene Santiago
as Sports Reporter #1
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Alema Harrington
as Sports Reporter #2
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Devin Wolfe
as Boy #1
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Steven Luna
as Guard
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Steven Tyndall
as Server
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Yolanda Wood
as Young Mother
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Peter Tuiaki
as Flagstaff Hooker
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Johnathan Law
as Flagstaff Assistant
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Ivan R. Bird
as Police Officer
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Shareece Pfeiffer
as Marty's Girlfriend
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Kirster Wunderlich
as Party Girl
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James Airhart
as Highland Rugby Player
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Dave Anderson
as Highland Rugby Player
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Peter "Hollywood" Black
as Highland Rugby Player
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David Cole
as Highland Rugby Player
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Nathan Herrscher
as Highland Rugby Player
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Ben Hill
as Highland Rugby Player
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Cameron Kiser
as Highland Rugby Player
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Trevor King
as Highland Rugby Player
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Scott Nielsen
as Highland Rugby Player
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Colton Phippen
as Highland Rugby Player
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David Root
as Highland Rugby Player
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Ryan Roundy
as Highland Rugby Player
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Andrew Swingle
as Highland Rugby Player
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Jorge Portal
as Highland Rugby Player
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Sam Thorley
as Highland Rugby Player
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Fau Tuuanaiaou
as Highland Rugby Player
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Robert "Lopeti" Wolframm
as Highland Rugby Player
- Neil McDonough





