Kicking and Screaming (2005, VHS)

I would call this a case of a pretty decent family movie with a bad name and poor marketing campaign. Kicking and Screaming opened this weekend, and despite having pretty decent star power in the cast, I had heard virtually nothing about it and didn t know what the plot even involved. But, it had Will Ferrell, and the alternative was Monster-in-law. So hubby and I decided to give it a try.

The Plot
The film centers around Phil Weston (Ferrell) and his somewhat tumultuous relationship with his very competitive father, Buck (Robert Duvall). To set the stage, we see Buck upstaging Phil by getting engaged the same day and then the two have babies on the same day. Of course, Buck s son Bucky is one ounce larger than Phil s son Sam.

Most of the film takes place years later, when the two boys are involved in a soccer league. Buck coaches one of the teams. Although the two boys both start out on Bucks team, he later trades Sam to the Tigers, the worst team in the league. The Tigers have a rather pathetic (and humorous) roster, and seem to know virtually nothing about the game. Coincidentally, the team s coach has mysteriously disappeared on the day of Sam s first game. Phil ends up stepping in for the game, and eventually for the season. He even convinces Mike Ditka, his father s worst enemy, to step in and help coach. The rest of the film focuses on whether Phil has picked up his father s overly competitive spirit or can just have fun with the kids.

The Good
I didn t know that this was such a family film going in to watch, since much of Ferrell s other work is a little more obscene. However, the theater was full of kids and they all seemed to enjoy the show. Kicking and Screaming does a good job of providing humor for both kids and adults. Children will be entertained by the antics of the kids on the soccer teams. There is plenty for adults to giggle at, such as Ferrell s sudden caffeine addiction which causes him to go mad at a Starbuck s type store. Ferrell plays his exaggerated role without being annoying or over the top. The child actors in the movie do a good job too, and the little Byong Sun (Elliot Cho) is especially adorable.

It was fun to see Mike Ditka in his role as Buck Weston s neighbor and rival. While his role isn t necessarily that comedic, simply having him in the movie allowed for some good jokes. Early in the film, Phil (Ferrell) tries to imitate everything Ditka does while coaching on the standlines, from repeating everything he says to showing up in a matching outfit.

The film also provides a happy ending, and the positive lesson that winning isn t as important as enjoying the game itself. I think this movie could launch a good conversation with kids about the importance of having fun in sports, despite competitive pressures. Even though Phil and Buck have been competitive, there is still a sense that they care about each other and have a strong relationship. Duvall does a good job as a father who is not really a bad guy, just overly competitive.

The Not-So-Good
Admittedly, the soccer team s season is a bit formulaic. This is a classic underdog sports story of the type that has been done in fifty or so Mighty Ducks sequels and the like. If you don t like this type of movies, this will probably drive you crazy.

I thought the middle of the film dragged a bit, and found myself looking at my watch. Perhaps the writers just took a little too long to develop the story. The humor, and the plot, seemed to pick up speed in the last third, probably because Phil becomes more and more unhinged.

Overall
This was a predictable but still enjoyable little film. I think this would be a great pick for families, since there is humor for both age groups. Nothing is too outstanding about Kicking & Screaming, but it made me giggle and kept me entertained.

This film is 95 minutes and rated PG for thematic elements, language, and some crude humor.