If you wanted to see the rugby movie Forever Strong, you will now have to catch it at Blockbuster.  There are apparently no more Denver area theaters showing this rugby based drama.  

Directed by Ryan Little (Saints and Soldiers), and written by David Pliler, Forever Strong was released on September 26th. It’s premier was sponsored by Colorado Youth Rugby on September 14th, as a highly anticipated expose of the sport played competitively by 2500 Coloradoans. The story of Highland RFC in Salt Lake is an enjoyable dysfunctional family drama of true life events with a nice rugby back drop.Rick Penning, played by Sean Faris (Never Back Down) is sent from Flagstaff, Arizona to Wasatch juvenile detention center in Utah. He is offered early release if he plays for national champion HS rugby coach, Larry Gelwix and Highland Rugby Club.  Rick initially balks, then earns his place at a distinctly different position for Highland. Problem is, his raucous friends and bitter father comprise Highland’s pending opposition in the next national tournament. Dutiful and arduous preparation with his new band of brothers facilitates second chances in sports and in life for Rick Penning.Honor and integrity are never easily achieved, nor even considered important in some competitive athletic programs, but once established for Highland players, it seems obvious and undeniable. Faced with the need for truth, and consistent consequences for moral failure, Rick adopts his new team’s character.  Somber moments and disgusting behavior aside, everyone feels good in the end.  Plot twists are not completely predictable, and real life ironies keep the viewer alert as the last plays are revealed.

The relevance of the Maori war chant as a symbol of Highland’s collective commitment is a rugby thing. But in rugby circles, you better have a good reason to perform the “Haka”, and you better be good at it. The success of missionary work in Polynesia by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is evident in the diverse make up of a number of high school rugby programs in Utah and California. Though understated, there is good reason to applaud the selfless philosophy and respect harnessed by Coach Gelwix.

As a rugby coach, I must admit, I hoped for a box office break through for the sake of the game. With little more than grass roots marketing, this low budget production features the recognizable faces of Gary Cole (The West Wing), Sean Astin ( Rudy, Lord of the Rings), Neil McDonough (Desperate Housewives, Walking Tall), Penn Badgley (Gossip Girl) and lead Sean Faris.  Even so, it struggled through it’s first three weeks on the big screen. Even if you are among the hundreds of millions who never saw this gem in the theater, tune into cable or rent it when you get the chance.

Rating: 4 out of 5 tries.