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The role of a goalie in professional hockey comes with a lot of pressure and scrutiny. While other players can have a bad night without causing a tremendous effect on the overall outcome, the goalie often makes or breaks the game. The biopic Goalie examines the life and career of one man who played under incredible pressure.
Goalie tells the true story of legendary NHL goalie Terry Sawchuk (Mark O’Brien). After growing up in the shadow of his older brother, an extremely talented young goalie who died as a teenager, Sawchuk took over the position in net. He eventually caught the eye of Detroit Red Wings General Manager Jack Adams (Kevin Pollak), who took him under his wing and made him a star. But as he settled into life in Detroit with a new wife and a growing family, the pressures of the job and the constant injuries began to take their toll.
While most hockey movies tend to be either inspiring or humorous, Goalie is gritty and honest—and surprisingly heavy. Sawchuk may have overcome a difficult background to make it in the NHL, but that’s not the end of the story. This isn’t really a film about battling through adversity to become a beloved hockey legend—one who went on to live a long, happy life of wealth and fame. It’s the story of a man whose battle for a professional hockey career led to depression, alcoholism, and countless injuries. It’s definitely an intriguing film—though, admittedly, it’s probably not the kind that most hockey fans would enjoy watching on their team’s night off.
More than just the biography of a Hall of Fame player, though, this film also offers a look at the early days of the NHL. In the days before helmets or goalie masks or heavy padding or even backup goalies, players like Sawchuk were under extreme pressure in extremely dangerous conditions. They played through serious injuries, spitting blood on the ice or overlooking concussions, knowing that a trip to the hospital could end the career that they worked so hard to earn. It isn’t an easy film to watch, but it’s a fascinating look at the history of hockey and one player who played decades ago.
If you’re looking for a rousing against-all-odds sports story, this isn’t it. It won’t leave you feeling energized and ready to take on your own challenges, and (despite some of the players’ antics) it won’t keep you laughing. But if you’re fascinated by the early days of the game—and the people who shaped the sport—it’s an eye-opening drama.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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