Sport has historically proven to be the perfect vehicle for Hollywood producers to work their magic on the big screen.
While the sport is the ‘hook’ that reels in moviegoers, it is generally the back story to the film’s central characters that keeps them engaged.
For instance, if Rocky didn’t include the same details about his rough background, the film would end up being no better than a boxing highlights video.
The best sports movies have the power to be truly uplifting, so here is a look at three feel-good films you simply cannot afford to miss.
Field of Dreams
A recent study by Betway Casino highlighted that baseball features heavily in the all-time top 50 list of sports movies.
The pick of the bunch is the magical Field of Dreams – a superb 1989 film starring Kevin Costner as Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella.
He ends up building a baseball diamond in his corn field that subsequently attracts members of the disgraced, and deceased, 1919 Chicago White Sox team.
With a superb supporting cast that includes Amy Madigan and James Earl Jones, the film takes viewers on an emotional roller-coaster ride that ends with a truly heart-warming moment.
Jerry Maguire
American Football is also a popular subject for film producers and Jerry Maguire is undoubtedly one of the best around.
Maguire (Tom Cruise) is left with just one client – Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding, Jr) – after a fall-out with his bosses and sets about trying to rebuild his career in a more ethical manner.
His relationship with fiancée Dorothy Boyd (Renee Zellweger) is placed under huge strain and leaves Maguire with a big fight on his hands both personally and in business.
The film chronicles Maguire’s battle to succeed on two fronts – can he make Tidwell a star and get the girl? Watch the film to find out!
Hoosiers
Based on the true story of a small-town Indiana team that made the state basketball finals in 1954, Hoosiers is a true sports movie masterpiece.
Starring Gene Hackman as coach Norman Dale, the film centres around the exploits of the Hickory Huskers – an unfancied team in a town full of troubled individuals.
Hackman enlists the help of Shooter (Dennis Hopper), the alcoholic father of one of his team members who also happens to be a basketball expert.
Hoosiers pulls off the trick of getting viewers to care about it the characters at its core and is another sports movie you simply cannot afford to miss.
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