already wowed audiences a few days earlier in Moon, Sam Rockwell took to the screen again, this time as Bill, an alcoholic waiter who gets a chance a second chance by coaching the local girl's basketball team in James C. Stouse' s The Winning Season.
Showcasing a been-there-done-that story line and a slew of uninteresting characters, the film throws up a brick in almost every sense as Rockwell's performance proves a waste in this horrific excuse for a motion picture. The cast, which features a heavy load of recognizable names, can't pull pull it together, losing the 'game' from the get-go and ending the 'season' on a sour note.
However, the true misstep lies in the film's unflattering story. Depicting the struggles of a woman's high school basketball team, The Winning Season plays it safe all the way through. Never do they venture outside of the box, nor do they attempt to to create a spark. The lines are mundane, the conclusion as expected and the characters one-dimensional as the film follows the typical formula of a sports drama, never capitalizes on the work of Rob Corddry, who in the big scheme of things, generates the film's lone spark.
Coming off the bench, Corddry stars as the high school's over enthusiastic principle as well as a father to one of the team's five players. His role is small, but his overall effect on the entire film is monumental. His charm, innocence and ability to generate laughs through the simplest of moves not only distracts the audience from the unflattering story being told, but it also serves as a great stepping stone for the famed supporting actor.
Throw in a slew of unfortunate performances by the ladies of the team, and a film that could have been considered a success falls miserably by the wayside. But when you think about it, a family targeted film with numerous F-bombs doesn't stand much of a chance in today's society, does it?
