Slap Shot (1977)
January 10, 2023 7:44 AM - Subscribe
In the small New England town of Charlestown, the local mill is about to lay off 10,000 workers. The town's minor league hockey team, the Charlestown Chiefs, is doing no better. After years of failure, this will be the team's last season. Exasperated player and coach Reggie Dunlop (Paul Newman) lets the club's recent acquisitions, the Hanson Brothers, play. The brothers' actively violent and thuggish style of play excites the fans. Dunlop retools the team, using violence to draw big crowds.
Also starring Strother Martin, Michael Ontkean, Jennifer Warren, Lindsay Crouse, Jerry Houser, Andrew Duncan, Jeff Carlson, Steve Carlson, David Hanson, Yvon Barrette, Allan F. Nicholls, Brad Sullivan, Stephen Mendillo, Yvan Ponton, Matthew Cowles, Kathryn Walker, Melinda Dillon, M. Emmet Walsh, Swoosie Kurtz.
Directed by George Roy Hill (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid). Written by Nancy Dowd (Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains).
Currently streaming in the US on Showtime and available for digital rental. JustWatch listing.
Also starring Strother Martin, Michael Ontkean, Jennifer Warren, Lindsay Crouse, Jerry Houser, Andrew Duncan, Jeff Carlson, Steve Carlson, David Hanson, Yvon Barrette, Allan F. Nicholls, Brad Sullivan, Stephen Mendillo, Yvan Ponton, Matthew Cowles, Kathryn Walker, Melinda Dillon, M. Emmet Walsh, Swoosie Kurtz.
Directed by George Roy Hill (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid). Written by Nancy Dowd (Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains).
Currently streaming in the US on Showtime and available for digital rental. JustWatch listing.
You do that, you go in the box. Two minutes by yourself. And you feel shame.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 9:40 AM on January 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 9:40 AM on January 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
I love how movies in the 70s could be a wacky comedy and at the same time, a biting indictment of corporate America and a gritty slice-of-life in a small industrial town. And it all works. Also George Roy Hill is a forgotten genius.
posted by octothorpe at 11:06 AM on January 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by octothorpe at 11:06 AM on January 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
Wow, did he really end things on that Chevy Chase movie, Funny Farm? I don't have a strong recollection of that one way or another, but I can imagine Chase driving a nice person into retirement.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:08 AM on January 10, 2023
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:08 AM on January 10, 2023
There is only one answer to the question "What are you guys doin'?"
posted by OHenryPacey at 2:32 PM on January 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by OHenryPacey at 2:32 PM on January 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
I was a kid when I saw this
my brother played a little hockey, I barely learned how to skate
my god the family enjoyed this film, the Hanson brothers made my kid-brain pleasure neurons fire quite explosively
posted by elkevelvet at 3:02 PM on January 10, 2023
my brother played a little hockey, I barely learned how to skate
my god the family enjoyed this film, the Hanson brothers made my kid-brain pleasure neurons fire quite explosively
posted by elkevelvet at 3:02 PM on January 10, 2023
One of our house favorites, trying not to wear it out but it's so good.
I really admire the opening sequence, it doesn't start with the star or the premise of the film, it showcases two other characters and the general fluff that is sports interviews.
quotes around our house:
"They brought their fuckin toys!!!"
"OOOooowwwnnnnsss, ooowwwnnns..." poor Deny.
"Dave's a mess!"
"You could look like...Cher!!!" (all stylists say a version of this, don't they?)
"...scouts...?!"
If you have every wondered who in the world could really wear a leather suit, comprised of jacket with flared collar and patchwork leather pants, it's Paul Newman. All the mens suits, and facial hair, are magnificent in their sartorial splendor. The women do a good job, too-- Swoozie Kurtz totters around in her big big hair and big makeup and looks like she was born to wear all this.
The fashion show at the mall.
Spoiler:
There is one glaring discrepancy that makes me wince to rewatch-- when Reggie confronts the team owner and finds out the team is going to be sold even though they're doing well, he resorts to a crappy slur about the team owner's child. This, after a really great scene with the rival team coach, where Reggie's comeback, "All I can get" is so just good, really turning the tables on a typical macho encounter. It's disappointing.
Also, it's incredibly murky what's going on with Braden and his wife. I am the only person alive, I think, who read the book version; it explains the rich kid rebellion/sports slumming better.
posted by winesong at 4:26 PM on January 10, 2023 [4 favorites]
I really admire the opening sequence, it doesn't start with the star or the premise of the film, it showcases two other characters and the general fluff that is sports interviews.
quotes around our house:
"They brought their fuckin toys!!!"
"OOOooowwwnnnnsss, ooowwwnnns..." poor Deny.
"Dave's a mess!"
"You could look like...Cher!!!" (all stylists say a version of this, don't they?)
"...scouts...?!"
If you have every wondered who in the world could really wear a leather suit, comprised of jacket with flared collar and patchwork leather pants, it's Paul Newman. All the mens suits, and facial hair, are magnificent in their sartorial splendor. The women do a good job, too-- Swoozie Kurtz totters around in her big big hair and big makeup and looks like she was born to wear all this.
The fashion show at the mall.
Spoiler:
There is one glaring discrepancy that makes me wince to rewatch-- when Reggie confronts the team owner and finds out the team is going to be sold even though they're doing well, he resorts to a crappy slur about the team owner's child. This, after a really great scene with the rival team coach, where Reggie's comeback, "All I can get" is so just good, really turning the tables on a typical macho encounter. It's disappointing.
Also, it's incredibly murky what's going on with Braden and his wife. I am the only person alive, I think, who read the book version; it explains the rich kid rebellion/sports slumming better.
posted by winesong at 4:26 PM on January 10, 2023 [4 favorites]
I am the only person alive, I think, who read the book version; it explains the rich kid rebellion/sports slumming better.Well not for long! Did not know it existed; I'll have to check it out.
posted by Hardcore Poser at 3:43 PM on January 13, 2023
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posted by adamrice at 9:13 AM on January 10, 2023 [1 favorite]