Goalie

An in depth look at the life of Terry Sawchuk in and around his world in hockey. Refreshing to see a rag to riches without it all being sunshine and rainbows. A lot of struggles and constant obstacles to overcome. I was impressed by this being a made for TV movie since it's better than a lot of movies that I've seen in theatres. Worth a watch if you are or ever were a hockey fan.

For someone who grew up in Canada during the halcyon days of the pre-expansion NHL, this movie is like taking a shower in ice water. The name of Terry Sawchuk evokes memories of young boys scrambling on outdoor rinks all across Canada, fueled by the dreams of someday becoming our big-league heroes. This movie takes on the unenviable task of dashing those dreams to dust in an entertainment art form, without losing the interest of the viewer. The film makers gambled with unusual devices like real-time interviews with a few hockey legends (portrayed by actors) and on-screen title cards when some of the greats of that era are introduced. I think they succeeded in enhancing the documentary feel of the film although others have disagreed on that score. The performances, especially by Mark O'Brien and Kevin Pollack are nuanced and compelling. I gave the film full marks because it succeeds in keeping viewer interest throughout the telling of such a difficult and tragic story.

I always have low expectations when I watch hockey movies. Usually because they tend to miss what makes the game great. This movie gets it. The heart, the people that it isn't just a sport to, that they can't walk away from, that they are willing to sacrifice everything for. People who don't feel that way may not get it. But somehow this little movie pieces together a pretty compelling...almost tone poem at times...about that very soul of the game. I found out after some of the monologues were taken from a poetry book about Sawchuk. I don't know who is writing poems about hockey goalies this beautiful, but I am guessing they were a Goalie themselves. Well done.

Wow, this is a really good biopic. Better than the one on Gordie Howe or the one on Don Cherry. I'm talking about those because it's hockey but it's also better than the Ty Cobbs movie and a lot of those. It's darker than the usual stuff but but it shows a lot about human nature of pressure by others and the pressure to provide a family. That movie also shows how it was hard to be an athlete back in the days, you were threated like a dog. Paid a merely just enough to makes ens meets.

Goalie is based on the career of one of hockey's greatest goalies. It is also based on a book of poetry based on the tragic life of Terry Sawchuk. One would think hockey and poetry are opposite ends of the entertainment spectrum . However the emotional journey of Sawchuk lends itself to poetry. The film portrays Sawchuk as a tragic figure, struggling to be everything to everyone and the cost of success in the world of hockey in those early days as I am sure it still is today.