If you love Hockey - not just the big games but the history, the farm teams, and the players who aspire to be on the farm teams - Odd Man Rush was made for you. This low-budget production has some technical issues and it can be a bit of a "so what?" if you're not into the sport but it's genuine and heartwarming.
Bobby (Jack Mulhern) has dreamed of professional hockey since he was a kid. Unfortunately, an injury dashed his NHL hopes. Nonetheless determined to make a career out of the game he loves, Bobby enters the minor pro league in Germany, eventually moving on to Sweden. Never quite within armâs reach of greatness, he does the best he can and finds friendship amid his teammates and even love in Elin (Elektra Kilbey), a cashier with dreams of her own.
Although my aversion to sports always kept me at a distance from the story, it all rings true. Bobby's team isnât important. There is no big game, no villains. You donât see any of the sports movie clichĂŠs because this isnât a sports movie. Itâs the story of an athlete who perseveres despite the odds. Will Bobby's photo ever adorn a box of cereal? No. His biggest achievement is a friendship with all-star player Sully (Trevor Gretzky) who regularly sends him signed jerseys to bribe faraway fans. In a way, he exhibits the true spirit of the game. Heâs playing because he wants to. His passion comes at a great cost: cheapo lodgings, a life far from home in a country whose language he doesnât speak, and strained relationships. Still, he goes on.
This different look at the world of hockey is refreshing. The chemistry between Jack Mulhern and Elektra Kilbey helps too. The script's quality ranges but seeing them flirting or playfully going back-and-forth is charming. Thereâs also warmth in the players goofing around like a big family. Whether theyâre making bets on who has to grow the team moustache next, going on McDonaldâs runs, or talking about mundane things, they're a unit. At the same time, they always stay at a distance to avoid getting hurt. After all, each is competing for spots in the league above them.
This is a good movie so bear through the technical issues. That moustache Bobby âgrowsâ is so fake I couldnât believe my eyes. At several points, the editing, sound mixing, dialogue, and performances will make you wince. Odd Man Rush knows itâs telling a small, offbeat story, which is why it does everything it can to break from the mold - as much as its budget allows, anyway. Bobby and other characters frequently break the fourth wall. Itâs a technique that mostly works though it often feels like a crutch for a script that just isnât that strongly written.
When I initially sat down, I was about to reluctantly dismiss Odd Man Rush. As Iâve sat here collecting my thoughts, this one's grown on me. Take a chance on it. (December 28, 2020)
