If you are keeping count there have been four films concerning faith released just in the last month or so – The Mighty Macs (made in 2007) counters the paternal-centered notions of the more recently made Courageous and Footloose. The other faith-based film of late, Vera Farmiga’s Higher Ground is a completely different beast altogether. Beginning on a note of great optimism, the 1971-set Macs follows Cathy Rush, a Baptist hired to coach basketball at a small all-girls Pennsylvania Catholic college, but does not follow in the footsteps expected of her.
Arriving at Immaculata College (later it would go co-ed and grow to be Immaculata University) – Rush (Carla Gugino) is provided with little resources, fighting for a makeshift practice space in the basement of the church. In a heartbreaking scene she asks for more and is led into the dormitory of Mother St. John (Ellen Burstyn) – who welcomes her to take whatever she’d like from her extraordinarily modest bedroom.
Teaming up with another free spirit in the habit, Sister Sunday (Marley Shelton), Rush coaches the team to victory. The young women become sketches as often they do in a sports film, apart from a few class divisions explored at Immaculata. The Macs go onwards to glory – as required in any sports film worth telling (even if you don’t win, you still have to have a spiritual journey) and the film is handsomely crafted, simple and engaging.
Of particular interest is Sister Sunday – who previously was a single 26-year old women living in New York City and working at an ad agency before taking her vows and heading out to Immaculata. Tasked in her fifth year with administrative duties she finds her calling as the assistant coach of the team. Together they take to the community to raise funds and spirits. Sports is looked at by Mother St. John as an extracurricular activity intended to keep the girl’s hormones in check. The life lessons learned here (according to the closing credits) have made a lasting effect in the success of the player’s lives.
The Mighty Macs is a more interesting type of faith-based, family friendly film. Unlike Courageous, it (as far as I can tell) was not funded by a ministry and emphasizes faith as a personal choice, showing a genuine conflict without presenting a homogenized view as seen in the latter. The story is well-told by first time writer/director Tim Chambers, the former director of the Pennsylvania Film and Television Office. Effective sports films often evoke a sense of place as a means of contextualizing a win – from gritty streets to glamorous arenas; The Mighty Macs is effective and low key in its use of place, akin to the inner counties of Pennsylvania.
The Mighty Macs is now in wide release.