Rent Slap Shot (1977)

Hockey, Homophobia and Hideous Sexism - Slap Shot review by griggs

I arrived knowing almost nothing about ice hockey and left just as unsure. What plays out though feels more like a candid field-study than a feel-good sports caper. Director George Roy Hill strips away polish: punch-ups crash into changing room grumbles, and the battered team’s fortunes mirror a mill town heading towards collapse. The thuggish humour lands side by side with streaks of kitchen-sink despair, giving the film its odd texture—one minute pratfalls, the next blue-collar rage.

Amid the racket, the seventies soundtrack cuts through the din with real bite, and Paul Newman anchors the madness with a wonderfully perplexed turn. Even so I never quite warmed to the film. A constant barrage of homophobic and sexist slurs—unapologetic and unredeemed—kept dragging me out of the fun. Age isn't and alibi. In the end, the raw energy intrigues, but the crudity overshadows the charm.

Good Old Paul Newman - Slap Shot review by CP Customer

A film starring Paul Newman and directed by George Roy Hill. Surely a winner? Don't be fooled. I rented this because i'd read someone call this a 'forgotten gem', which is half correct. There are some funny scenes but it's not aged well and i expect it was a lot funnier at the time. The film never really gets going and the plot, like so many sports films, is pretty flimsy. Newman isn't bad in it, but he's not great either. I'll remember him for his other films.

Of It's Time But Still V Funny Sports Comedy - Slap Shot review by GI

This is a riotous adult sports comedy that follows the antics of a failing American ice hockey team, the Charleston Chiefs. They are on a huge losing streak and consequently the team's mysterious owner is losing money and there are rumours the team is to be closed down. Veteran player/coach Reggie Dunlop (Paul Newman in a performance that will be a big surprise if you've not seen this film) attempts to stall this by spreading false rumours the team is being sought after by a Florida buyer. But then the manager (Strother Martin) brings in the weird Hanson brothers, Jeff, Steve and Jack, to play on the team. Their style amounts to nothing more than fighting on the ice and as the crowd relishes the violence Reggie encourages the others to go all out with fights too and they begin not only to win but also to attract a huge following. But soon Reggie regrets the loss of a good sporting contest and winning by skill. This is really very, very funny and for it's time it's very profane and trying to say something about violence in art and media especially relevant in in the mid 70s when cinema was pushing the boundaries of screen violence and the exposure of it to young people. Viewed today it's a a great sports comedy, entertaining throughout and good to see Newman clearly having the time of his life (he often cited this as his favourite film). If you've never seen this then check it out it's great stuff.