Canada's game! A war of sticks & blades! A story of blood, sweat and beers!"Les Boys" is the quintessential sports movie. Like many other films of it's sort, it follows a ragtag group of shlubs in their struggle to achieve an unlikely goal. While it does fall victim to many of the trappings and clichés of its Hollywood counterparts (the group of hilariously mismatched teammates with questionable athleticism, the "dire situation", the "big game"), "Les Boys" manages to pull itself away from the pack by incorporating a thick and very distinct Quebecois flavour.
Director Louis Saia does a great job of infusing the numerous characters with memorable personalities, which is no easy task with a cast of this size. There is enough time spent with most of the characters, that you have a feel for what makes them tick by the end of the film. It's no small surprise that these characters (and the film itself) became so well-loved in Quebec that they went on to be included in three sequels!
The plot, admittedly, is by-the-numbers sports comedy fare. Pub-owner and team coach, Stan, gets himself into some hot water with local gangster and overall bad apple, Méo. Méo agrees to call the debt off if Stan's team, "Les Boys", can beat his team. However, if "Les Boys" lose, Stan loses his pub. After a sizable amount of introductory and character-based scenes establish "Les Boys" as a group of goofy, predominantly middle aged men, it becomes apparent that they must fight - and win - against Méo's team of obvious ringers and bruisers.
Director Louis Saia does a great job of infusing the numerous characters with memorable personalities, which is no easy task with a cast of this size. There is enough time spent with most of the characters, that you have a feel for what makes them tick by the end of the film. It's no small surprise that these characters (and the film itself) became so well-loved in Quebec that they went on to be included in three sequels!
The plot, admittedly, is by-the-numbers sports comedy fare. Pub-owner and team coach, Stan, gets himself into some hot water with local gangster and overall bad apple, Méo. Méo agrees to call the debt off if Stan's team, "Les Boys", can beat his team. However, if "Les Boys" lose, Stan loses his pub. After a sizable amount of introductory and character-based scenes establish "Les Boys" as a group of goofy, predominantly middle aged men, it becomes apparent that they must fight - and win - against Méo's team of obvious ringers and bruisers.
While we have all seen movies with similar (possibly nearly identical) plot lines, "Les Boys" manages to stay charming and entertaining throughout. It also delves into some subject matter that you would rarely see explored in a sports film (certainly not in an American sports film). I won't spoil that for you, though. If you've enjoyed films portraying the battle of the "everyman" against insurmountable odds (for questionable ends) in the past, then I can certainly recommend that you check out "Les Boys". Even if just for some innovative and exotic new insults to throw at your friends while out on the ice.
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