If there’s one genre of film that I completely love, it’s a sports story that flashes “based on a true story” at the beginning of the film. This is the case with the true story of the Masonic Mighty Mites in “12 Mighty Orphans.”
They were a Great Depression era football team who played high school football out of an orphanage called the Masonic Home in Fort Worth, Texas. This started when respected coach and teacher Rusty Russell (Luke Wilson) came to teach at the home. There, he turned an unlikely group of teens into a high school football team to compete in the A-division. There, Russell employed his revolutionary spread offense (for which he’s best known).
Wilson’s Rusty has a mysterious past where he was in the war, and scenes that dive into his childhood backstory are fine, if melodramatic. There’s also voiceover narration throughout the film by Martin Sheen – as the orphanage’s resident doctor turned assistant coach, Doc Hall – that is also cheesy. When we’re first introduced to the orphanage, Sheen narrates, “A castle, perhaps, but this is no fairy tale.”
The orphans
That’s the tone that Ty Roberts’ film takes towards the orphans of the film. Sure, their story inspires, but each of their development relies on pitying them simply because they’re orphans… It’s a team of 12 and we get development for about three of them. For most, we only know them as orphans instead of as the people they were, as they have little substance.
The scenes that characterize them simply pity them, and that doesn’t create compelling characters. One instance is with Wheatie (Slade Monroe) in a horribly random scene where his mom comes to see him to invite him for Thanksgiving with her abusive boyfriend, despite her leaving Wheatie on the orphanage doorstep 10 years ago. Wheatie tells her that he is home and she slaps him repeatedly, and then leaves.
It seems to show that she wants him because of his success, and some might relate, but it feels like such a random scene in the grand scheme of things. It’s also problematic since that’s one of the bigger scenes to try to add depth to these kids.
Other core kids on the team include Snoggs (Jacob Lofland), and then the main star is running back Hardy Brown (Jake Austin Walker). He’s the only character that feels like he has some substance on him; and the only one where his development feels earned. Otherwise, everyone is just… sort-of there to fill a team. They all blend together, but none have much star power to stand out from the pack, besides perhaps Jake Austin Walker, who is solid.
The villains
The other huge problem in this film were its villains, as this is where it feels fictionalized and fails. Take Wayne Knight as Frank Wynn, for example. He’s a Miss Hannigan type who treats the orphanage as a sweat shop. He beats the kids, too, as he beams with a huge smile, “You’re gonna feel this one, boy.” It’s hard to take Knight seriously as this terrible character. I half-expected him to start singing that these kids are ruining everything for him.
Then, there’s the main opposing coach and rival for Polytechnic, Luther (Lane Garrison). He has a terrible haircut and bad dialogue, so it’s easy to hate him. When he joins forces with Wayne Knight’s character, it gets to be on the extremely frustrating ridiculous side as it just gets so cliched and trope-y. They’re just caricatures designed to make you think, “Damn, these orphans really have been dealt a horrible hand.”
Despite the distracting villains that threatened to ruin the film, I was still invested in seeing the Mighty Mites win. They’re a likable group, especially since they’re better as a unit. They’re inspiring; rising up and keeping their heads up despite the hand they’ve been dealt. Their acceptance of their situation, and some strong speeches from Luke Wilson’s Rusty Russell are rousing. The “mighty orphan” scenes, for where the film gets its title, are wonderful. As well, Martin Sheen as Doc Hall is a welcome addition. He brings so much spirit and humour to the film.
All the truly annoying aspects happen closer to the third act, so the first hour is better. Of course, the football scenes themselves are fun. It’s great watching the team come together during the games, despite being at each other’s throats off the field. There truly are some fine aspects to the film, but overall, it all feels so contrived. In “12 Mighty Orphans,” the orphans are mighty but the film is “meh.”
’12 Mighty Orphans’ premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this month, and is now available to watch in theatres.
