No, not ‘Mighty Ducks 4’: a new Disney ‘Miracle’

Ashley Busch / Reviewer

Do you believe in miracles? Disney’s “Miracle,” released this month, will make you believe. The movie is based upon the U.S. hockey victory over the U.S.S.R. during the 1980 Winter Olympic Games at Lake Placid, N.Y. It is directed by Gavin O’Connor and stars Kurt Russell, Noah Emmerich and Patricia Clarkson. The 20 hockey players in the film are virtual unknowns to Hollywood’s big screen, chosen for the roles because they are actual hockey players who showcased acting talent. The movie not only reflects the game events of that year but also the personal lives of the team and its coaches, and the sacrifices that were made that eventually helped to restore the patriotic faith of the citizens of the United States.

The movie opens by showing various events that took place in 1979 and 1980 that caused the nation to be in low spirits. Reasons for distress flashed before the screen during the credits, telling of the post-Vietnam War era, the Cold War with the Soviet Union and the Iranian hostage crisis, among other things that were plaguing the nation at that time. The story then chronicles Herb Brooks’ (Russell) attempts to become the coach of Team USA. It gives insight to his family, the sacrifices they made and the time he spent apart from them once he began coaching. Brooks’ job is to narrow the team down to 20 players from the hundreds that came to try-out, and get all of them to play together as a team.

There is a pivotal scene in the movie where Brooks breaks down the attitudes and individualism of the players and rebuilds them as a team by making them sprint the ice after a lost game, even after the lights have been turned off and the rink had been locked up. The movie continues to build up to the game against the Soviet Union, which had won the gold medal for the past four winter games. Through each win and loss, the team grows more like family and that bond helps carry them through the 1980 Winter Olympic Games and to victory by beating the Soviet Union and winning the gold. All of America stood by and watched the underdogs succeed, restoring faith and hope to many in the country.

The movie was very well done. In a time when obscenity sells, it was a movie that people of all ages could watch and enjoy. I was impressed with the amount of detail that went on behind scenes for the story to be as authentic as possible. Russell spent months observing and talking with coach Herb Brooks to acquire his mannerisms, right down to the Minnesota accent. The actors were cast from the original hometowns of the players, so all their mannerisms and accents were authentic as well. To capture the excitement of a real hockey game and portray it on film, the actors played non-scripted games in which the camera would just roll and film all the action. The movie had enough humor and drama to keep its two hours fresh and compelling. It was success with two pucks up.

Photo courtesy of movies.com

Disney’s latest grown-up film documents the only major victory the United States won over the U.S.S.R. during the Cold War: Olympic hockey.