MOVIE SYNOPSIS (from Joseph Campbell) AND MY LIFE STORY
Movie: When The Game Stands Tall
Hello Prof Jorge and hello readers. I wish to share with you one of my favorite movies of all time. A story about the longest winning streak in American high-school football. A compelling story about growing up, commitment, forgiveness, brotherhood and standing tall. A film that continues to move me up to this very moment.
Movie Synopsis:
In 2003, high-school football coach Bob Ladouceur (Jim Caviezel) and his De La Salle Spartans have just completed an incredible 151 consecutive victories and 12-straight state championships. While the team's seniors receive offers from colleges all over the country, the advancing juniors look forward to making their mark. However, beloved "Coach Lad" has a brush with calamity, while the Spartans face their most-challenging, most-unpredictable season yet.
When The Game Stands Tall is a moving story about a winning high school football team that must find strength in each other after the loss of a teammate results in them losing a 151 game winning streak. The movie starts off a little slow and choppy, but ends on an inspiring, uplifting, powerful note that affirms family, faith and humility.
THE HERO'S JOURNEY
THE ORDINARY WORLD: WINNING IS A REGULAR THING
The hero, uneasy, uncomfortable or unaware, is introduced sympathetically so the audience can identify with the situation or dilemma. The hero is shown against a background of environment, heredity, and personal history. Some kind of polarity in the hero's life is pulling in different directions and causing stress.
In 2003 the De La Salle Spartans are about to play their league rivals, Pittsburg High School. The film opens with a scene in the dugout where the Coach Bob Ladouceur (the main protagonist of the story), In delivers a motivating pep talk, and states that the streak was never their goal. He stresses that the team is family, a brotherhood to be depended on. He states that the love of family means that you can count on me in good times as in bad By this time in 2003, they have compiled 150 consecutive wins. In between the 12th championship game is the true goal of the football program that our hero, Coach Bob, preaches --- he stressed that there is no perfect game or perfect play, but that they need to to give a perfect effort from snap to whistle. This is the crux of his coaching philosophy.
Each senior player reads from a personal perfect-goal card, with a goal for the game, for practice, and for life.
During the game, there is a bit of attitude developing among the junior players, and they are put in to get some play-time experience. There was a festive celebration of fans and parents as the De La Salle Spartans sweeps the season 28-0, their 151st straight win.
Each senior player reads from a personal perfect-goal card, with a goal for the game, for practice, and for life.
During the game, there is a bit of attitude developing among the junior players, and they are put in to get some play-time experience. There was a festive celebration of fans and parents as the De La Salle Spartans sweeps the season 28-0, their 151st straight win.
Archetypes:
Coach Bob Ladouceur – Hero
De La Salle Spartans – Allies
Memorable quotes:
"We're not asking you to be perfect on every play. What we're asking of you and what you should be asking of each other is to give a perfect effort from snap to whistle." – Coach Ladouceur
"Winning a lot games is doable. Teaching the kids there's more to life, that's hard." – Coach Ladouceur
THE CALL TO ADVENTURE: BATTLE OF THE BEST
Something shakes up the situation, either from external pressures or from something rising up from deep within, so the hero must face the beginnings of change.
Weeks later at a district coaches meeting, several of the other teams coaches refuse to play De La Salle, saying that they are cherry-picking talent from their backyards. Coach refuses to buy the excuse, noting that several of the kids come from underprivileged backgrounds, riding city buses hours each day, just to come for the education, athletics and Christian-based beliefs at De La Salle. Asst.Coach Terry Eidson says that it's OK-they will play Long Beach Poly, who is the #1 in California and #2 in the nation, right behind De La Salle. Coach Ladouceur looks surprised; he wasn't aware that the asst. coach had been talking to them or setting up a game.
It's decided: De La Salle will travel to Long Beach for a pre-season game next season.
This is a turning point to Coach Bob to have his team compete the best high school football player in the country.
Archetypes:
Asst Coach Terry Eidson – Ally
Long Beach Poly – Threshold Guardians
The opportunity to challenge Long Beach Poly - Herald
Reflection quotes:
"This program was founded on certain ideals – Perfection, Commitment, Compassion, Brotherhood, Faith."- Coach Ladouceur
REFUSAL OF THE CALL: SPARTAN LOYALTY
The hero feels the fear of the unknown and tries to turn away from the adventure, however briefly. Alternately, another character may express the uncertainty and danger ahead.
From this point there are several crucial things that happens to the Coach Bob.
He had several collegiate coaching offers that he constantly turns down. He is keen on his mission to develop young men not only in sports but their lives as a whole. Coach Ladouceur throws away collegiate coaching offers without opening them, much to the dismay of his wife Bev (Laura Dern). She thinks he needs to at least look and see. He feels that collegiate players are hand-picked, motivated, skilled, and don't need him or his coaching style, like the local kids do. His assistant coach and good friend, Terry Eidson (Michael Chiklis) refuses to side with either.
Archetypes:
Bev Ladouceur - Mentor/Ally
Reflection quotes:
"We were never just about winning. We were built on families." – Coach Ladouceur
"People ask me what it's like to never lose. Today I'm lost." – Coach Ladouceur
MEETING WITH THE MENTOR: MY ALTER-EGO
The hero comes across a seasoned traveler of the worlds who gives him or her training, equipment, or advice that will help on the journey. Or the hero reaches within to a source of courage and wisdom.
Coach Ladouceur tells Bev that he realizes he's been a lousy husband and father; he was too focused on the team and the winning streak. She tells him to use this opportunity to spend as much time with his family as he can, and really get to know the kids.
Coach Bob's alter ego, his saving grace and beloved wife who's constantly beside him in all his decisions in life and career.
Archetypes:
Bev Ladouceur – Mentor/Ally
Reflection quotes:
"Spend as much time with your family as you do the team." – Coach Ladouceur's wife Bev played by Laura Dern
"Some people don't know who they are, all they have but something's missing." – Coach Ladouceur's wife Bev
CROSSING THE THRESHOLD: NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY
At the end of Act One, the hero commits to leaving the Ordinary World and entering a new region or condition with unfamiliar rules and values.
Danny is watching game tapes and tells his father that he has dropped more passes this spring than in all 3 years of high school combined. He needs his dad back as coach. Coach's test results are good-he is finally cleared to coach with the warning to keep the stress down. As he watches practice, he sees arguing, pettiness, no cohesive team brotherhood like before. Players are giving half-effort, cutting corners on practice and workouts.
The players board the bus, and have no idea what to expect. Coach takes them to the VA hospital. His friend is a nurse there, and she is in charge. She has the players work with recovering veterans. They see veterans recovering from limb amputation, surgery, head injuries. They are given tasks such as administering a sponge bath, talking, and helping with therapy. A veteran with a missing arm tells a player that if he could, he'd go back in a heartbeat. Confused, the player asks why he states that its to be there for his unit, his brothers. Another man has a prosthetic leg, and is running treadmill. He challenges Danny to pace him and run alongside on the other treadmill. He does, then a player ups Danny's speed, and the vet does the same. This goes on and on, until finally Danny quits, unable to keep up with the vet. The boys ride home, a bit nicer to each other, and much less attitude.
Archetypes:
Danny Ladouceur – Ally
The hospital nurse – Ally to facilitate the adventure for his team
Reflection Quotes:
"Life's most impressionable lessons are when something challenging happens and confronts you." – Coach Ladouceur
"Family isn't just blood relatives. It's anyone who love you unconditionally." – Coach Ladouceur
TESTS, ALLIES AND ENEMIES: NO PERFECT EFFORT
The hero is tested and sorts out allegiances in the Special World.
After recuperating and being cleared by his physician, he returns to coach his team.
Back to coaching, the Spartans are about to play Belleview, a team that has been preparing for the game for a year. Coach tells the players that he sees that they are not giving their perfect effort. He sees the slacking, the fighting, the selfishness, and they need to do better.
Archetypes:
The team shows slacking, fighting, selfishness – Shadows
Reflection Quotes:
"Life's most impressionable lessons are when something challenging happens and confronts you." – Coach Ladouceur
APPROACH: WHAT IS IN THE METTLE?
The hero and newfound allies prepare for the major challenge in the Special world.
In the locker room, the coach talks to the distraught team. He tells them people will ask how did this happen? He tells them to remember it's a game, it happens. They need to play better. Asst. Coach Eidson tells them NOT to let this one loss define them. Now is when we find out what we are made of.
Next game, he tells the team that some of them seem to think that they are entitled to win just because they are at De La Salle. He reminds them that they need to earn it. They need to play well. Play better. Despite this, they lose the game. On the bus, he tells the team to show up at 8:00am sharp the next morning.
Next game, he tells the team that some of them seem to think that they are entitled to win just because they are at De La Salle. He reminds them that they need to earn it. They need to play well. Play better. Despite this, they lose the game. On the bus, he tells the team to show up at 8:00am sharp the next morning.
Archetypes:
First loss / the streak breaks – Shapeshifters (This is the turning point of the story where the
coach and the team reflects change.
Reflection Quotes:
"I got caught up in the streak and it nearly killed me." – Coach Ladouceur
THE ORDEAL: ODDS ARE AGAINST US.
Near the middle of the story, the hero enters a central space in the Special World and confronts death or faces his or her
greatest fear. Out of the moment of death comes a new life.
Game Day.
The game is the first ever nationally televised high school football game. Long Beach is on a 34-game win streak, and the Spartans are 0-2.
Reflection Quotes:
"Don't let a game define who you are. Let your lives do that." – Assistant Coach Terry Eidson
played by Michael Chiklis
THE REWARD: EXTREME HEAT
The hero takes possession of the treasure won by facing death. There may be celebration, but there is also danger of losing the treasure again.
As the game begins, Chris Ryan scores, and they lead 7-0. Soon Long Beach scores and it is tied. The temperature rises to 100* on the field, and the Spartans are exhausted by the end of the 1st half. The score is 21-17, Long Beach leading.
Archetypes:
Chris Ryan (Team Captain) – Ally
Game/Field Temperature Rising to 100 degrees – Threshold Guardians
Reflection Quotes:
"Collapse. Not die. It's just a high school football game." – Coach Ladouceur
THE ROAD BACK: FIGHT BACK
About three-fourths of the way through the story, the hero is driven to complete the adventure, leaving the Special World
to be sure the treasure is brought home. Often a chase scene signals the urgency and danger of the mission.
In the locker room, Coach sees the fatigue, exhaustion, and injuries. There is no air conditioning in
the locker room. He tells the team doctor to keep a close eye on the players, and pull any that aren't
fit to play, even if it means losing the game
Archetypes:
no air conditioning in the locker room - Threshold Guardians
fatigue, exhaustion, and injuries – Threshold Guardians
Reflection Quotes:
"I don't want a kid on that field who isn't fit to play. I don't care if we lose the game."
Coach Ladouceur
THE RESURRECTION: CREDIT EVERYONE.
At the climax, the hero is severely tested once more on the threshold of home. He or she is purified by a last sacrifice,
another moment of death and rebirth, but on a higher and more complete level. By the hero's action, the polarities that
were in conflict at the beginning are finally resolved.
For the 2nd half, Coach starts the 2nd string players. Little Garcia plays for the first time, and makes a big stop against their biggest player, preventing a 1st down. The coach is proud of his effort, and Garcia beams at his accomplishment.
After Long Beach punts, some of the starters are rotated back in the game. Ryan scores again, and De La Salle is up 28-24. Long Beach has the ball, and they have 2 minutes left, with a big pass completion. Ball on the Spartans 4 yard line and it is all up to the defense. Defense holds them, and Spartans win.
Archetypes:
Little Garcia - Ally
Reflection Quotes:
"I want to help you when you grow up you can be counted on." Coach Ladouceur
RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR: SPARTAN HONOR
The hero returns home or continues the journey, bearing some element of the treasure that has the power to transform the world as the hero has been transformed.
In the final game of the season, the team is 9-0 in league play and is playing for the North Coast.
Championship. This would be their 13th straight championship if they can win.
The game starts, and Ryan scores a touchdown. Then the other team scores and its tied. The game goes back and forth, and late in the 4th quarter, the score is 14-7 for the Spartans. Ryan scores again and its 21-7. He just needs one more touchdown for the record. Coach Ladouceur lets the QB call the last round of plays. He wants to throw to Ryan so he can break the record, but Ryan says no. He doesn't want the last play about him. He wants it to be about the whole team, and their brotherhood. Ryan asks to be QB, and when the ball is snapped, Ryan takes a knee. His dad flips out. With time left for one more play, Ryan takes a knee again. The Spartans win, and celebrate as a team. They all lift their helmets to the coach as a tribute. They give the game ball to Coach Ladouceur.
The game starts, and Ryan scores a touchdown. Then the other team scores and its tied. The game goes back and forth, and late in the 4th quarter, the score is 14-7 for the Spartans. Ryan scores again and its 21-7. He just needs one more touchdown for the record. Coach Ladouceur lets the QB call the last round of plays. He wants to throw to Ryan so he can break the record, but Ryan says no. He doesn't want the last play about him. He wants it to be about the whole team, and their brotherhood. Ryan asks to be QB, and when the ball is snapped, Ryan takes a knee. His dad flips out. With time left for one more play, Ryan takes a knee again. The Spartans win, and celebrate as a team. They all lift their helmets to the coach as a tribute. They give the game ball to Coach Ladouceur.
As a post-script, the film states that Coach Ladouceur never took the job at Stanford and is still coaching the Spartans today.
Highlights:
Chris Ryan taking the knee and sacrificing his record breaking touchdown
Reflection Quotes:
"My husband is turning your son into a man." – Coach Ladouceur's Bev
REFLECTION:
There are 3 important things that I got inspired in the story.
THE STREAK:
"I got caught up in the streak and it nearly killed me." – Coach Ladouceur
In my 34 years of existence, I've have 'feats – good ones and extremely bad ones; most especially in my career. Just like Coach Bob, I found it hard not to zoom out from stress and look at the bigger and better perspective of things. It is not about the glory and fame or infamy and irrelevance but the ultimate goal- the end in mind – your core – family, love and success. Everything is relative if only we find peace in all that we do.
THE HURDLES
"Life's most impressionable lessons are when something challenging happens and confronts you." – Coach Ladouceur
This is the inflexion point where good things intersect with the bad. This is what defined me. That on the
lowest of low, I started to pick myself up. When I was challenged early life with my family, financially. I kept an open mind and acted on it. This is my defining moment.
THE WORK
Success Smells A Lot Like Sweat.
Success isn't given on a silver platter. This is something I learned early in my life. The things that I do in order to succeed requires blood, sweat and tears. These I'll do. These I promise.
Apart from praying, I revisit this film when I am down and needed perspective. The message to me is clear and compelling. Values I try to live by and pay forward.
Commitment.
Accountability.
Perfect Effort.
Love.
Leader Jermits G. Rabonza
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