Parents' Guide to

The Heart of the Game

Movie PG-13 2006 102 minutes
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Common Sense Media Review

By Cynthia Fuchs , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 12+

Excellent high school sports documentary.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 12+?

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age 8+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Dusty Fortyfives B.
Dusty Fortyfives B. Adult
May 17, 2018
age 8+

Seattle Mom
Seattle Mom Parent
October 10, 2011
age 8+

A positive story with some grown up content, responsibly handled

I watched this with my 8 year old son because I went to the high school where it was set (2 decades before the documentary was filmed!!). I was cautious about letting him watch it because I read that it briefly discussed the sexual abuse of one player and the teenage pregnancy of another, and I was prepared for challenging questions at the end. My son's only question was, "Why did the girl cry when she won the game?" The main coach, though extremely competitive, had a very positive way of interacting with his players, which I was happy for my son to see. There was also open, honest, and positive discussion of race and socio-economic disparity which I think is also worthwhile for kids to view in this context. Overall I think it was a great film for teenagers for certain, and for younger kids too, if watched with parents who are prepared to discuss the questions that might be raised. Very entertaining and uplifting overall.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE HEART OF THE GAME follows the Rough Riders, a Seattle high school girls' basketball team led by the unlikely tax-professor-turned coach Bill Resler. Resler's unique and effective coaching style (which includes encouraging the girls to think of their opponents as prey), inspires the girls to work hard and excel. With Resler's help, the team looks towards the state championship. The documentary finds its shape in following star player Darnellia Russell's compelling story: As she matures, she learns to cope with competing demands on her time. Even when she faces what seems a career-stopping event -- pregnancy -- she has her baby, learns to rely on her family and her baby's young, devoted father, and comes back. Her teammates rally behind her when the WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) rules that she cannot return to play, because she's now in her fifth year in high school. Even as local media create a swirl of controversy, her lawyer argues the ruling discriminates against girls. While Bill Resler and Darnellia are plainly inspirations -- for one another as well as the team -- the movie also keeps sight of the multiple lives intertwining throughout this process, with attention to opposing teams and Darnellia's family members.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Heart of the Team is an intelligent, challenging, and entertaining documentary that's been compared to Hoop Dreams, probably the best sports documentary ever. But Heart also does some important work that film does not, namely, it considers issues specific to girls, including a sexually abusive coach one girl hires to improve her personal game and the subtle and unsubtle ways that misogyny still shapes expectations of women athletes and girls with ambitions.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the ways that Darnellia matures over the course of the film, transitioning form rebellious adolescent to responsible teammate. How does her coach describe these changes, as he encourages her to believe in herself? How does Darnellia come to depend on her family and teammates in order to become a great player?

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