You know, this was odd in that Don Cherry made himself famous by his outrageous attire and outspoken comments on "Hockey Night In Canada" but 99 percent of this movie doesn't address that - only the last minute. The rest is all about Cherry's hockey and coaching career, none of it approaching the notoriety he has gotten as a broadcaster on "Coach's Corner" every Saturday night. Whatever.... I really enjoyed this because I've always been a big fan of "Grapes." Growing up here right across the border, I have watched Cherry on "Hockey Night In Canada" for so many years I've lost count. In addition, Don used to have a half-hour "Coaches Corner," a separate program in addition to the seven-minute Saturday night gig CTV.
Since it's a movie, the actors playing Don and his beloved wife Rose are better-looking than in real life. Jareed Keeso is rugged-looking but handsome guy, someone I'm sure "Grapes" was happy to have play him, and Sarah Manninen was very pretty and extremely likable as Don's faithful wife Rose (not that she wasn't a wonderful woman in real life.) Stephen McHattie is memorable as the nasty Springfield Indians owner and Hall of Fame player Eddie Shore. Those who know their NHL history know this film didn't exaggerate on the brutality of Shore, who today never would never get away with how he treated his players.
Speaking of Shore, it seems like there is an emphasis on the negative more than the positive throughout this film, more downs than ups, but it does have some very touching moments, too. Don loved his wife, loved his players (and vice-versa) and loves him family, and that comes through in the movie. Keeso, though, was a little too serious as Cherry has always had a good sense of humor and that's not seen much in this long film.
All in all, an entertaining film but as others have said, mainly for bigtime hockey fans or fans of Don Cherry.
