Updated to Add: By the way, have any of you already seen the movie? A friend sent me a link to this review after seeing my post this morning, and I must say that some of the reviewer’s points are worth considering. I will post a complete review after I’ve seen the film.
A 2nd Update: Charlotte continues the discussion over at her blog.
Okay, so this movie looks totally fun.
(Note: the trailer doesn’t show up in Google Reader, so you’ll have to click over if you want to watch it.)
“The Mighty Macs is an inspiring movie that teaches the values of faith without limits, as well as perseverance and teamwork in a girl’s life. I encourage our American Heritage Girls troops to support this movie on opening weekend and enjoy a film that leaves you excited about the opportunities God presents to us daily. With Him all things are possible.”
Patti Garibay, American Heritage Girls founder and executive director
Fun and faith-filled and family-friendly?
Woot! Let’s go! Meet me there?
Okay.
I saw the preview last night and told hubby we needed to go! I am so tired of trash movies! We need to support the good movies when they come out so that Hollywood knows that good movies do make money!
I'd like to get a bunch of my AHG'ers to go Friday night.
I haven't seen the movie, yet, but I grew up near Immaculata and suffered the wrath, I mean had Macs in school. Wondering if this movie might induce flashbacks….
After reading the review you linked to, I'm pretty sure I'd pick apart those things about it he did.
After watching "Believe in Me" this summer, I'd have a hard time not comparing the two.
Have fun!!
Thanks for mentioning my review. The problem with the film is that everyone gets caught up in the underdog-to-champion emotional pull and the nuns who are portrayed well and miss the actual themes in the movie.
I think that the movie looks good, and we have to be careful about wanting to rewrite history because we don't like what happened. I haven't seen anything but the trailer, and read the review you linked to, so my opinion may mean nothing. Based on what I saw, and the review, I would say the only things that I think are questionable, are Sister Sunday's antics. The pushing her backside into a college boy while showing someone how to play. They could have done that better, but I think the whole point of Sister Sunday's character was to show that even nuns can let relate to a young girl. Too often we view nuns and priests as stuffy and unrelatable, and young girls especially will often feel awkward around them. A character like Sister Sunday can make them feel like nuns can relate to them, and they can feel comfortable talking to them abd being around them. I certainly don't think the producers were out to scandalize the Catholic Church with her character. The reviewer, Ian, seemed to have a large problem with the main character wanting to work as well. That she should be wanting to raise a family. Well, since this is based on a real person, we can't say what is right or wrong about what she wanted to do. Also, this was when feminism changed, and we can't unring that bell. All we can do is teach our girls about it, and all the good and bad that came from it. Finally, there was no family yet to raise, so staying home to raise a family was a moot point.
I don't know, I think that we have to be careful about being too pious as well as being to loose with our beliefs. It's a fine line that is often difficult to walk.
I think that the points in the movie that may be tough to deal with (feminism, Sister Sunday, the main character dressing like a nun to get free air-fare) are all teaching moments for you with your children. It's up to us as parents to use those moments wisely, because some day our kids will be in the "real world" and we certainly want them prepared. We do this by taking the time to have those teachable moments. My daughters have certainly given me plenty of opportunity for that this year. 😉 LOL
Wow, that was long!
That's okay, Joy; you raise very good points!
I would recommend reading <a href="http://tiredtwang.blogspot.com/2011/10/mighty-macs-debate.htmlthis post</a> which is great because the blogger found some an old interview and profile of Cathy and her husband. There was a compelling family story that could have been told but they didn't.
The movie presents the family / coaching thing as either / or with family being the least desirable choice. The movie presents Cathy as choosing unilaterally to NOT have a family and her old-fashioned husband must go along.
I just saw the movie this morning. It's great!
While I watched the movie I recalled some parts of "Chariots of Fire" another movie I consider a great because of the man whose principles and belief in God was so strong he was an inspiration to many while developing what he considered his God given gift. While "The Mighty Mac" does not attribute abilities to God as openly as "Chariots of Fire", it does show we're strengthened when we take our God given gifts and with others praying and dedication, goals can be reached. This movie is based on a true story. At the end you learn about the further accomplilshments of that first team.
Reader for a while and just wanted to comment since I saw the movie last night…I don't know if I'm all up on the family movies these days but this was easily movie that I'd like to buy for my kids and have them watch, when I have kids of course. The review that you linked to was a little scathing and I thought generally harsh criticism for what was an artistically well done movie, in addition to be an inspiring story. With the points that guy brings up as main focus points were not the focus of the story, at least from the movie I saw. Yes, she made that passing comment about not wanting to start a family yet in order to follow this dream, but that was the only point it was mentioned. There was no feminist rhetoric about "only being a housewife" it was just about following a dream and being strong enough to do so, and believing that you can do it. Also, I loved how this story about "female empowerment" if I can call it that is set within the church. Too often Catholics are accused of holding women back when here are a group of ladies, from a small Catholic college no less, that rise above the rest and with nothing but the support of other religious women in the stands. Pretty cool to think about how that must have looked at a time when people were rebelling from the Church. Additionally, I saw a screening of the movie with the director/actress panel and there were several religious in the audience. One of the comments came from a Father and a nun who both said they appreciated with what humanity they were portrayed…the scene where the young nun explains why she became a nun and broke up with her boyfriend for something much greater and worth living for was an especially rare scene that pointed out the difference in each of our vocations. It was amazing to see that in a "catholic" film that was decidedly not preachy, just good art!
Anyway, just thought I'd put in my two cents…I disagree with that reviewer and this wasn't portrayed as a "either have a family or do something with your life"…it was more about the importance of equality of strengths in the sexes and realizing that you're given talents to do something with, not to sell yourself short because you're scared. Good Catholic women can play basketball and still be good Catholic women 🙂 Ha!