The Mighty Macs (2009)

Such a frustrating disappointment

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

It's 1971 at the all-girls Immaculata College outside of Philidelphia. Mother St. John (Ellen Burstyn) hires Cathy Rush (Carla Gugino) to be the basketball coach. There is no real money, the gym burnt down, and the college is threatened to be sold off. Cathy's NBA ref husband Ed Rush (David Boreanaz) wants her to be more of a housewife. The rules have recently changed to allow the girls play the men's game. Sister Sunday (Marley Shelton) becomes the assistant. The girls struggle with loss after loss until Cathy molds them into a championship team.This is formulaic but that's no problem for a formulaic sports movie. It's endearing in its own way. The major missing element is a bigger part for one of the players performed by a bright young star. The girls are more or less blanks except for a couple scenes. They are played by relative unknowns and they don't excel. On the other hand, Carla Gugino is great. The big emotional scene of the girl silently weeping in the van after a lost is very good. However, none of the games nor the story are terribly surprising or exciting. The story is fit for a sincere feel-good telling and this does it in a very standard way.

This is a must see show - especially for every woman that thinks she is hitting against all odds and will amount to very little. I hope and wish that, anyone feeling discouraged, they choose to watch this heartfelt movie and be empowered by it. Cathy Rush is to basketball what Clara Barton is to nursing and was truly amazing. Get your young children before this show and let them become inspired by the story of this woman who encouraged her team to grow through believing in their dreams. Every dream may be slightly different on a team, but the end result comes together when a team acts like a true team. Cathy Rush did for women's basketball in a time that it wasn't popular for women basketball teams to exist what the Jody Conradt's, etc. do for the women basketball teams of today -- definitely a woman ahead of her time. Don't worry, if you aren't necessarily a basketball fan, you'll still be amazed because the lessons learned can be applied to just about any area of life.

When you go to a movie and want to get your monies worth you get disappointed more than you used to before. Remember when you could go to a movie without worry of having a great experience? Well, this brings that feeling back! If you like films based on a true story, go see this film! If you want to leave the theater feeling good go see this film! If you want to go to a movie and not feel like you waisted your time, go see this film! If you want to go to the movies and not feel like you waisted a dime, go see this film! If you're tired of not being able to take your kids to the movies take them and GO SEE THIS FILM!

The Mighty Macs is a movie that you can bring all of the family to without any worries. You get a view of Catholic Sisters that is truly humorous yet respectful. Although this is the story of Immaculata College's girls basketball team, it is the story of us all. The story of Cathy Rush and Immaculata College is something we can and should relate to - push for your dreams and you will achieve them. Those who dare to dream can make a difference in their own life and the lives of those around them. Do you believe in your dreams? Maybe the story of The Mighty Macs will inspire you to shoot for your goals. Great acting, great action, and an inspiring story with a positive message make this a win, win. Just go see it!