I finally got a chance to watch Champions the other day. The movie came out in 2023, so it took me awhile, but it was worth the wait. I appreciated the fact being an Iowan, that the main character was a coach in Iowa to start the movie. The movie is a sports comedy-drama starring Woody Harrelson as a disgraced minor-league basketball coach sentenced to community service coaching a team of players with intellectual disabilities. The film is an English-language remake of the 2018 Spanish movie Campeones.
Marcus Marakovich (played by Woody Harrelson), a hot-headed basketball coach in Iowa, loses his job after a public altercation with the head coach of the team. Following a DUI, he is given a choice by a judge of jail time or 90 days of community service coaching a Special Olympics basketball team called "The Friends".
Initially reluctant, Marcus's perspective begins to change as he gets to know the diverse group of players and helps them hone their skills. The team's spirited and resilient nature, along with his growing relationship with Alex (Kaitlin Olson), the sister of one of his players, challenges his self-centered worldview.
As the team progresses toward the Special Olympics finals, Marcus must confront his own biases and learn that winning isn't everything. Though the team loses the championship game, they feel like winners because of how far they've come. In the end, Marcus declines a professional offer and decides to coach locally, embracing his new role and community.
Definitely take the time to watch this movie. It will raise your spirit and make you appreciate that life isn't so hard.
Out of 10 Popcorn Kernels, I give it a 7.