Where to watch The Replacements
2 Stars
A comedy based on the 1987 professional football players’ strike. Gene Hackman plays the coach of the team, Jack Warden is the owner, Brett Cullen is the All-Pro quarterback that goes on strike and Keanu Reeves is the “scab” who replaces the star QB.
The Replacements lacks the outrageousness necessary to compete with genre classics such as Slap Shot or Major League. I believe the original intent of the writers and producers was to create a sports comedy that would rival those previously mentioned movies and possibly serve as a franchise launching point. But somewhere along the path from page to screen, the material became safe, family-friendly, and boring. The worst sin committed by the movie is that it wastes a good performance, and one of the last from the legendary actor Gene Hackman.
Keanu Reeves, riding high from the success of The Matrix, is just ok as the fictional team’s quarterback. He’s a safe choice because of his athleticism, but he’s far from a comedic presence that anchors the film. The formulaic screenplay puts the characters through the expected obstacles, none being original or funny, and even includes a dance number to give the impression that ‘fun’ is being had, which is not the case for the audience. What I liked about The Replacements was the realistic game footage, Brooke Langton as the head coach of the cheer squad, and Hackman’s performance. Without these saving graces, The Replacements would go from dull to unwatchable.
Directed by: Howard Deutch
Written by: Vince McKewin
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Gene Hackman, Brooke Langton