12 Mighty Orphans (2021) Film Review
The genre of sports movies hasn’t evolved.
These stories of facing obstacles and overcoming them in victory-laden third acts, are inspiring but ultimately feel like the same film being shot over and over, with only the sport changing.
Adding another ingredient to the recipe feels like a manipulation of some sorts. At the end, the film will be about surpassing every obstacle possible and celebrating. As true as this is, sometimes it works to have that additional element in the equation.
12 Mighty Orphans is a good example.
Ty Roberts directs 12 Mighty Orphans with the emotionality of a man who’s quite familiar with the situation he’s trying to portray.
He knows his resources are scarce, and the story doesn’t have the ups and downs necessary to display a wholehearted story about struggle and achievement. However, he does enough and that we need to celebrate.
The film tells the story of the Mighty Mites, the American football team that was formed in the Masonic Widows and Orphans Home, after a new coach was hired during the Great Depression. The team, formed by orphans, began to play football and in a matter of months they became the talk of the town in Texas.
12 Mighty Orphans is told from the perspective of a coach who saw no other choice but to lead the kids into believing they could be more than just pariahs of a society that had forgotten about them.
Every scene you expect, is there.
Every character you can think of, is there.
What Roberts makes with the story is to replenish every dark corner and shed some light on an unclear fact.
He makes a Hollywood movie out of it. He even includes unexpected cameos that strangely don’t add anything to his story. He keeps his focus on the one important thing: a wobbly accomplishment of sorts.
What the film portrays as a climax, is not as exciting as you would think. The script is as linear as the formula indicates and Roberts stays on a safe path in regards to narrative. Performances are pretty decent: Martin Sheen in a supporting role does a great job at adding balance to the story, the performances by young actors are fantastic. Jacob Lofland and Jake Austin Walker shine among the rest.
Sure, 12 Mighty Orphans may be forgettable but I don’t believe Roberts was aiming for more. He does plenty with the elements and manages to tell a realistic story (even if it fails a bit during a courtroom segment) with what he has at hand.
In indie cinema territory, it feels like a win. And for me that’s plenty.
