The Game of Their Lives (2005)
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26% of critics liked it
(35 reviews) -
59% of users liked it
(3,962 ratings)
In 1950, most Americans had only a passing familiarity with the game of soccer, even though it was the world's most popular sport, and few athletes in the United States played the game with any particular degree of expertise. However, when an invitation was extended to the United States to… More In 1950, most Americans had only a passing familiarity with the game of soccer, even though it was the world's most popular sport, and few athletes in the United States played the game with any particular degree of expertise. However, when an invitation was extended to the United States to participate in the World Cup tournament in Brazil -- the international soccer championship held every four years -- Bill Jeffrey was determined that America participate. In less than two weeks, Jeffrey assembled a team comprised mostly of players from St. Louis (where soccer had developed a small but loyal following) and the East Coast (where the game gained a foothold on college campuses), with immigrants from Haiti, Portugal, and Scotland filling out the ranks. Against all odds, the Americans not only made it to the World Cup games, but defeated the British team (favored by many to win the championship) in the greatest upset of the 1950 games. The Game of Their Lives is a sports drama based on the remarkable true story of the 1950 United States team, featuring John Rhys-Davies as Bill Jeffrey, Wes Bentley as team leader Walter Bahr, Gerard Butler as goalie Frank Borghi, Jimmy Jean-Louis as Joe Gaetiens, a dishwasher born in Haiti who found his way onto the team, and Patrick Stewart as a journalist covering the games. David Anspaugh, who made the acclaimed basketball drama Hoosiers, directed. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- David Anspaugh, Daniel Gordon
- Written By
- Angelo Pizzo, Geoffrey Douglas
- Genres
- Documentary, Drama
PG,
- In Theaters
- Apr 22, 2005 Wide
- Studio
- IFC Films
Critic Reviews
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Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
Director David Anspaugh has a skilled touch, but there's just not that much drama to film. This is a very competent, very predictable sports film.
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Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle
...disappointingly mediocre...
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Robert Koehler, Variety
...lacks even a penalty kick's worth of tension and is paradoxically inert for a movie about guys running up and down the pitch for the glory of the U.S.
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Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
These guys give a sport that is virtually nameless in the movies a good name in this one.
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Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
It's difficult to muster dislike for The Game of Their Lives, which is reasonably interesting, but it needed more grit and inspiration than this straightforward account can provide.
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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Gerard Butler
as Frank Borghi
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Wes Bentley
as Walter Bahr
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Jay Rodan
as Pee Wee Wallace
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Gavin Rossdale
as Stanley Mortensen
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Costas Mandylor
as Charley "Gloves" Columbo
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Louis Mandylor
as Gino Pariani
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Zachery Ty Bryan
as Harry Keough
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Jimmy Jean-Louis
as Joe Gaetjens
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Patrick Stewart
as Older Dent McSkimming
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Terry Kinney
as Dent McSkimming
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John Rhys-Davies
as Bill Jeffrey
- Tim Vickery
- Pat Noonan
- Ben Olsen
- Eddie Pope
- Jason Kreis
- Freddy Adu
- Chris Albright
- Clint Dempsey
- Landon Donovan
- Alecko Eskandarian
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John Harkes
as Ed McIvenny
- Chris Klein
- Damani Ralph
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Nelson Vargas
as Clarkie Sousa
- Mike Bacarella
- Richard Jenik
- Rosemary Garris
