Score: A Hockey Musical – A Mongrel Media Release

http://www.scoreahockeymusical.com/

Release Date: October 22nd

Rated PG for language may offend

Running time: 93 minutes

 

Michael McGowan (dir.)

 

Michael McGowan (writer)

 

Jonathin Goldsmith (original music)

Michael McGowan (song lyrics)

 

Noah Reid as Farley Gordon

Allie MacDonald as Eve

Marc Jordon as Edgar Gordon

Olivia Newton-John as Hope Gordon

Stephen McHattie as Walt Acorn

Hawksley Workman as Gump

Dave Bidini as Stan

George Stroumboulopoulos as the arena announcer

 

 

 

©Mongrel Media – Photo by Ken Worone

Farley Gordon (Noah Reid – centre) and the Brampton Blades in Michael McGowan’s Score: A Hockey Musical

 

Our reviews below:

___________________________________________________________________________

Score: A Hockey Musical Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

Score: A Hockey Musical has already been degraded by some as cheese, and I’d be lying if I said that it wasn’t gleefully corny and somewhat predictable.   But it would also be a lie to say that I didn’t flat-out love this irresistibly enjoyable piece of Canadiana.  Sure it’s not a quintessential home-grown masterpiece like writer-director Michael McGowan’s last, One Week, but it is the best (and only) hockey musical I have ever seen and one of the most purely entertaining movies of recent months.

 

Farley Gordon (Noah Reid) never dreamed of playing hockey on a team because his home-schooling parents (Olivia Newton-John & Marc Jordan) never approved of team sports.  When he catches the eye of Walt Acorn (Stephen McHattie) he is invited to join the Brampton Blades and his hockey skills become a phenomenon.  The only problem is, he doesn’t agree with the level of violence associated with the game.  At one point he even leaves George Stroumboulopoulus speechless by suggesting that they should just play hockey for fun.

 

While Farley’s pacifism is getting in the way of his on ice skills, he is also starting to recognize that his feelings for the cute girl next door and fellow ‘homeschooling weirdo that could never fit in,’ Eve (Allie MacDonald), may go deeper than just their platonic friendship.  Score works well when it becomes a romance because McGowan treats his characters with sincerity and sweetness.

 

With many fun songs including groan-worthy one liners and silly plays on words, part of the appeal is the clarity that the cast and crew never take themselves too seriously.  The catchy, original songs are also aided by a hilarious use of the ‘love-it-or-hate-it’ Dan Hill classic ‘Sometimes When We Touch.’

 

As Allie MacDonald said pre-screening, this is a movie that’s meant to be enjoyed, and it’s the most purely Toronto fun I’ve had at a movie theatre since Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.  This love song to all things proudly Canadian is lively and exuberant, with a timeless soundtrack of tunes both funny and sweet.  You couldn’t ask for anything more from a musical, let alone a piece of pop entertainment.  Bring on the sing-along version!

___________________________________________________________________________

Score: A Hockey Musical Review By Erin V.

**** (out of 4)

I suspect when most people first hear of this film, their reaction will be, did I hear that right?  A hockey musical?  But it is just that, and my hope is that the film will become well enough known – at least in Canada – that you won’t get raised eyebrows when it comes up, but rather an understanding of what this film is.  But what is it exactly?  Read on.

 

Score: A Hockey Musical is about a homeschooled teenager named Farley Gordon (Noah Reed), who is an unknown hockey prodigy who has never played a formally organized game – only on homemade outdoor rinks with friends.  When a local coach sees him play, he is invited to try out for the ‘Brampton Blades,’ much to the dismay of his parents who disagree with organized sports in general.  But, he follows his heart and joins the team anyway – and loves it.  When he becomes a local superstar, with articles written about him asking “Is he the next Crosby?” he starts to lose himself to all of the hype…

 

It’s destined to possibly become a quintessential Canadian classic, and deservedly so.  It’s sweet, the songs are fun, and oddly, it all works.  It tells a surprisingly well put together hockey-musical story with likable characters, and the only question that remains is, will hockey-fans go for it?

 

Certainly, it will have an audience.  It opened this year’s Toronto International Film Festival and was played in a free screening at Ryerson (after People’s Choice winner The King’s Speech) to close TIFF as well.  At least there, the people left the theatre with a smile on their faces – having laughed throughout and seemingly enjoyed watching the whole thing.  There is a saying: ‘If people leave your film happy, they will tell their friends, and you will have an audience.  Everyone wants to experience that kind of film.’  Hopefully word of mouth will give ‘Score‘ it’s deserved recognition.  I’m not just saying this because it’s Canadian.  I’ve seen really bad Canadian films, as well ones that are downright depressing.  This was different – it felt fresh.  I for one, loved this film.

___________________________________________________________________________

Score: A Hockey Musical Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

Last year, I got to see the film One Week, directed by Michael McGowan.  Once again, McGowan has created a film that really captures the spirit of Canada.  Seventeen year old Farley Gordon (Noah Reid) is a homeschooled boy who lives with his pacifist, vegan parents.  When not engaging in volunteer work, he likes to talk to his homeschooled neighbour and best friend, Eve (Allie MacDonald), or just play amateur hockey with his friends.  One day, Walt Acorn (Stephen McHattie) sees how good Farley is on the ice.  Acorn is no other than the head of the Brampton Blades, a hockey team that could use Farley’s talent.  Farley decides to join the team, much to the dismay of his parents.  Farley manages to get on the team, and quickly becomes a sensation.  But there is a problem.  The team’s coach is a bully who encourages the players to fight, something Farley is not comfortable with.  Being on the team means less time with Eve, which is bothering him more than he thought it would.  How can Farley balance friendship, play hockey and stick to his basic principle of non-violence?

 

Score: A Hockey Musical is just pure Canadian fun.  Sure it’s predictable, slightly corny and won’t win any Oscars.  But the songs are fun, there is a sweet romance and the film has a nice message about peace.  The acting is decent, the film is funny and will appeal to a wide audience.  Bring the whole family to this film.  You will cheer all the way through.

___________________________________________________________________________

Score: A Hockey Musical Review By Maureen

**** (out of 4)

The idea of merging hockey and musicals to create something watchable is an odd one.  Odd as it is, Score: A Hockey Musical really works.  This proudly Canadian effort by writer/director Michael McGowan is fun to watch and even more fun to sing along with.  A lot of the songs are cheesy but they are exactly what works for a light-hearted, charming musical about hockey.

 

The storyline centres around Farley Gordon (Noah Reid) who has been raised and homeschooled by his eccentric and pacifist parents (Olivia Newton-John and Mac Jordan).  Farley loves to play hockey, just for the fun and exercise, and he’s really good at it.  When a local team owner notices Farley’s on-ice abilities, he recruits him for the Brampton Blades team.  Farley enjoys being on the team, except when he’s expected to drop his gloves and fight like real hockey players do.  Farley has to figure out how to reconcile his pacifist upbringing and his love of the game.  Hockey’s not the only thing Farley has to figure out.  Next-door neighbour and childhood friend, Eve (Allie MacDonald) has a big crush on Farley but he’s the last one to notice.

 

With lots of hockey action, a sweet romance, plenty of laughs and a really fun soundtrack Score: A Hockey Musical really scored for me.  Toronto born Noah Reid is a delight to watch as Farley Gordon as is Allie MacDonald as Eve.  Olivia Newton-John and Marc Jordan are a hoot as Farley’s wonderfully eccentric homeschooling parents.

 

If you enjoy musicals and hockey then Score: A Hockey Musical is a must-see.  Bring your hockey team along if you have one.  This is good Canadian fun for the whole family.

___________________________________________________________________________

Score: A Hockey Musical Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

Farley Gordon (Noah Reid) and Eve (Allie MacDonald) have grown up as next-door neighbours, both homeschooled. Farley’s parents (Marc Jordan & Olivia Newton-John) are academics who have provided Farley with a rigorous liberal arts education rich in philosophy and pacifism. They are unaware of his remarkable prowess at shinny hockey  until he is invited to join a local team. The team is also skeptical about this unknown player until he starts winning games for them, and is becoming a celebrity with big money and promotional contracts. However, Farley’s career is jeopardized when he refuses to participate in fights. Meanwhile, Eve’s feelings for Farley have gone beyond friendship, hoping he will reciprocate.

 

Score: A Hockey Musical admittedly has a slight and predictable plot full of caricatures, from politically correct parents to goons on and off the ice, with campy songs and choreography to match. I can see how it wouldn’t ring true for some serious hockey fans (which I am not) since I felt that way about Grease, with which this film is being compared. However, I was charmed by the sweet story of a guileless prodigy and girl next door, and couldn’t help being caught up in the enthusiasm of everyone involved. Whether or not this will become the definitive hockey musical remains to be seen, but with a fine cast and decent book by director/writer/lyricist Michael McGowan and music by Noah Reid it is a good effort.

___________________________________________________________________________

Consensus: With an appealing cast and catchy songs, Score: A Hockey Musical is a thoroughly enjoyable love song to all things proudly Canadian.  Although some will degrade it as a corny musical, this crowd-pleaser is sure to score with Canadian audiences. ***3/4 (Out of 4)