Original subtitles

[theme music playing]

ALL: Break.

Now, Let's see some hustle, now, some hustle.

Down, left, go!

[whistle]

Run it again.

How you doing, Ricky?

Remember me, Charlie.

Yeah.

I am fine, OK.

COACH: Hey, Ricky, let's go.

Keep your mind on the game, rainy day practice

doesn't mean slacking off.

OK, throw left, before he can sweep.

Then go.

Who's the girl, Rick?

She's just a girl in my class.

I don't even know her name.

- Oh, sure you do. - Look, I don't.

OK?

She sure knows you.

Oh, Ricky, remember me?

[laughing]

Knock it off, OK?

Come on, ladies.

Move it, move it, some hustle, come on.

Ready?

Down, set, go!

You know, using the stuff is not fair.

I mean, I'm soaked to the skin.

You're dry as a bone.

You got to take the good with the bad.

And what does that mean?

It means I'm dry, but I'm dead.

You're wet because you're alive.

Oh.

Dan, I understand.

But, you have a responsibility to the kids.

Well, could you at least finish out the rest of the season?

All right, I'll respect your decision.

Thank you, Dan.

And good luck to you too.

Afternoon, gentlemen. Can I help you?

I'm Jonathan Smith.

This is Mark Gordon.

I believe we talked on the phone.

Oh, the football referee, of course.

Please sit down.

Thank you.

Not often that we get someone with your qualifications

to referee for us.

I'm just glad we were available.

I'm looking forward to the game Saturday.

Yeah, we drove all night just to make sure

we'd be here on time.

Well, you may have rushed for nothing.

One of the coaches just resigned.

We may not have a game unless we find another coach.

Look, I don't want to toot my own horn,

but I've handled the pigskin in my day.

Used to play in college.

They called me Flash Gordon.

You mean you'd be willing to take over

until I find another coach?

Sure.

Like kids, love football.

I'm sure the Minnows will be thrilled to have

you as their coach, Mr. Gordon.

Oh, wait a minute.

I'm going to coach a team called the Minnows?

Well, they're not exactly the best team in the league.

But they're a bunch of good kids.

What exactly is their record?

Well, they're 0 and 5 this year.

Looks like you got your work cut out for you.

They're playing the Bandits Saturday.

They're the best team in the league.

I had a feeling you were going to say that.

[whistle]

[whistles]

- Hi, kiddo. - Hi.

Sorry I'm late.

Traffic was murder in this rain.

Three, four.

How do they look?

They look pretty good, Dad.

Six, seven, eight, nine, 10.

OK, Good job.

Get your gear and take off.

You nervous?

A little.

Ready?

Let's do it.

Excuse me.

You Coach Stiller?

That's right.

I'm Walter DuBois.

This is my daughter, Charlene.

What can I do for you?

Well, we just moved here and my daughter is

interested in playing football.

Yeah, well, the gym class has touch football.

No, she plays regular football.

She was on a team in Baker.

She played wide receiver.

Not saying much for Baker, is it?

I started and we were 6 and 0.

Look, I know it's a little unusual, but she likes to play.

There's no rule that says she can't.

Just let her try out.

All right, but if I decide she's not good enough,

I don't take her.

Fair enough?

Fair enough.

Ricky, come here.

This is my son, Ricky.

Yeah, I know.

Hi, we're in the same class.

Yeah, hi.

Charlie wants to try out for the team.

What?

Hey, she's got a right to try out.

Go run an up and back with her.

Come on, Dad.

Go and do it.

Couldn't you get her to try out for a girls sport.

Ah, she's got a mind of her own.

Yeah, if I was her father, she'd

change her mind pretty quick.

Are you guys ready?

[whistle]

Pretty good for a girl, huh?

Not bad.

Let' see if she can catch.

All right, run a down and out.

Ready.

Go.

Hey, why don't you take it easy?

The other team's not going to take it easy on her.

Either she can catch or she can't catch.

The other team isn't going to have a grown man

throwing the football.

Hey, we've got some pretty big kids in this league.

Look, she's fast, but she's still a girl.

Look, why don't you get her to go out for track or something.

I can't use her.

Let's go.

She beat the pants off you.

You ought to be ashamed.

[door slams]

Looks like it's clearing up.

See you at the barbecue this afternoon.

OK, Coach.

Coach Stiller?

Yeah.

I'm Jonathan Smith, new league ref.

Yeah, you'll be doing the game Saturday, huh?

That's right. This is Mark Gordon.

He's taking over as coach of the Minnows.

How are you doing?

Doing fine.

You're in for a long day Saturday.

Yes, so I hear.

Well, at least the kids will have fun.

Losing is not fun.

Winning is fun.

Well, I hate to think that.

I mean half the kids out there playing

aren't having a good time.

That's right.

The only way to change that is to become a winner.

We're having our team barbecue this afternoon

around 6:00 at the house.

Why don't you and the coach join us.

Get to know some of the kids and I'll fill you in what's

happening in the league.

Sounds good.

We'll be there.

My address is on the team sheets.

I got it.

See you.

I think I'm to like this guy.

Come on, now, Mark.

Come on, Jonathan, let me be a little judgmental.

I'm only human, remember?

Coaching is sort of a passion with me.

I love the kids.

I know I'm rough on them, but they respect me.

Do you think you might be a little too

tough on them sometimes?

We only have a few hours after school.

Can't be too soft on them, not if you want to build champions.

We won our division four years in a row.

Work with them every day.

Looks like we're in for a rough time on Saturday, huh?

Well, I'm going to do my best.

You're going to win, right?

You, bet, Dad.

WOMAN: Ricky.

Potato salad's ready.

Could you put it on the table please?

I'm talking to Dad.

Richard, do what your mom tells you.

She's my stepmother.

Just put it on the table.

Just remarried about a year ago.

There's still a lot of anger, you know?

It's never easy.

Look, I've got an appointment I can't miss.

Thanks for the invite. - You bet.

- Hey, I'll go with you. - No need.

Why don't you stay here?

Maybe Vince will give you some tips on coaching.

Thank you.

It was unfair.

There has to be somebody I can talk to about this.

Dad, I don't want to make a federal case out

of it or anything.

I'm embarrassed enough.

You have nothing to feel embarrassed about.

Even I couldn't have caught those passes.

None of the other boys could have either.

Dad,

I just want to forget about it now.

Don't you want to play football?

Of course I do.

But not if they don't want me to play.

They're wrong.

Vincent Stiller is wrong.

You deserve to play if you want to.

[doorbell rings]

I'll get it.

Hi, Charlie.

Hi.

How do you know my name?

It's written right there on your shirt.

Oh, yeah.

Is your Dad home?

Who is it, honey?

My name's Jonathan Smith.

I'm the new league ref.

Oh, what can I do for you?

I understand your daughter here tried out today.

Yeah, if you could call it that.

That coach of theirs fired a bullet that nobody could catch

and they said Charlie was no good.

I know, I heard about it.

That's why I'm here.

Dad, I told you, I don't want to make

a federal case out of this.

Hey, you know, in a way, I think your daughter is right.

Look, a friend of mine is coaching the Minnows.

They could really use some talent.

Why not try out for a team that really needs you?

I don't know.

I still don't think that guy ought to get

away with something like that.

I agree.

But why start a big deal now in the middle of the season?

Why not just go out and play the game?

He's right, Dad.

All I want to do is play.

OK.

Hey, if it's all right, I'd like to come in and talk to you

for a minute about the tryout.

What about it?

As much as your daughter here would like to forget it,

she's a girl.

It's going to prejudice a few minds.

OK, come on in.

Thank you.

Break!

Down, set, go!

[pads hitting]

[coughing, retching]

Are you OK, Mr. Gordon?

Oh, that was terrific, guys.

Now why don't we try throwing it to somebody on our team?

Let's try it again.

Hey, hold it.

Hold it here.

What's all this grumbling?

We're playing the Bandits on Saturday.

So?

You've got to play somebody.

Yeah, but they're the best.

And we're the worst.

I mean, we never win.

Well, with an attitude like that,

you are never going to win a game.

Well, that's why our last coach, Mr. Williams, quit.

Yeah, he said he was tired of working with a bunch of losers.

All right, guys, let me ask you something.

You like to play football?

Sure we do.

You want to win?

Yeah, everybody wants to win.

Well, then you got to think that you can win.

But we can't.

I don't want to hear can't.

I don't want to hear you say can't.

I want to hear you say, we'll try.

Coach, it'll never happen.

Never say never.

Just get out there.

You give it your best shot, and most of all, most of all,

you have fun.

Huh?

All right, let's go, Minnows.

All right?

[grumbling]

Coach Gordon.

Yeah?

We heard you were looking for a wide receiver.

Among other things.

I'm Walter DuBois.

This is Charlie.

How you doing, Charlie?

I know it's a little late in the season,

but we'd like to try out for the team.

Charlie is a good receiver.

Well, let's give him a shot.

All right, Charlie.

I want you to go in for the right end.

Break.

Down, set.

go!

Look at that!

He's great.

The Minnows would be proud to have Charlie on the team.

Thanks, Coach.

Charlie, come on over say hello to your new coach.

Hey, that was some catch, my boy.

Hair's kind of long, isn't it?

She's a girl.

Hair's kind of short, isn't it?

I can't believe they let a girl on the team.

Yeah, I can see her coming out for a pass.

Wait a minute.

I got a run in my pantyhose.

What are you laughing at?

She beat you in the 40.

No, I let her beat me.

Sure.

I was just messing around, OK?

[whistle]

COACH: Come on, come on, move it.

OK, come on, come on, gather around.

What are you tired, Rick?

Certainly can't be from today's practice.

The two minute drill today was a joke.

Made one lamebrain mistake after another.

I'm sorry.

Down for 20.

Nobody is sorry.

You don't win football games being sorry.

And after that give me eight forties.

Maybe next time you'll beat a girl.

The rest of you, any mistakes tomorrow, we might have

changes in the starting lineup.

That's all for today.

Pretty rough on your boy.

He can handle it.

He's just a boy.

They're all just boys, not professional athletes.

You treat them like adults, they'll respond like adults.

It's great for building character.

Oh, come on.

Don't you think they're under enough pressure at school

and at home?

They don't need any out here.

I don't know who you think you are.

I'm a football coach.

I live in the real world.

Why don't you save that bunk for some newspaper editorial?

They ought to teach that guy to be a human being.

He's a strange one all right.

Well, you had a good practice today.

Looks like your team may be turning around.

Yes, my new end, Charlene DuBois.

Never thought I'd say it.

Boy, that girl can play football.

She sounds like just what the doctor ordered.

Yeah, kids are all excited.

Hope they don't expect miracles, you know.

Or should they?

Mark.

Come on.

I'm surprised at you.

That isn't fair and you know it.

Oh, come on, Jonathan, what are friends for?

The Boss wouldn't mind a little zzh, zzh, kind of touchdown,

you know.

[air escaping football]

Maybe he would mind.

Please don't throw the ball against the window.

[ball hits window]

Ricky, please, that's annoying.

[ball hits window]

Ricky, didn't you hear me?

I asked you to stop.

Listen, Helen, I heard you.

This is my house and I can do whatever I want.

Look, I don't know what's bothering you,

but if you want to talk about it I'll be happy to listen.

Look, I'm not going to love you.

So you can stop pretending you care.

You don't have to love me and I'm not pretending.

I do care.

Practice didn't go so well today.

Yeah, why not?

I don't know.

I couldn't do anything right.

Well, that's why they call it practice.

You didn't make any mistakes, they'd probably

call it how to get perfect.

Maybe someone should tell that to Dad.

And I couldn't do anything right.

He kept riding me.

I hate it.

I'm sure your dad just wants what's best for you.

How do you know?

You weren't there.

You didn't see him calling me stupid.

Look, Ricky, your father can be really demanding,

but he loves you.

He just has some trouble expressing it sometimes.

I don't need anyone making excuses for me.

Ricky and I were just talking about practice.

Sounds more like you went crying to your mommy.

We were having a discussion.

Yeah, I heard the discussion.

You can't take the heat, can you?

You want me to treat you like a little baby?

I got news for you.

You're not a baby, and I'm not about to treat you like one.

I didn't say that.

I just sad it was a tough practice.

Damn right it was.

And it's going to get tougher.

You don't get anywhere in this world without good hard work.

And you're not going to make the pros unless you're

ready to work your butt off.

I work hard.

I'm going to meet the guys at the mall.

Oh, sure, sure, run out.

Just what I expect from a loser.

OK, Dad.

Let's go work now.

No, it's too late.

Should have worked today.

Be ready for tomorrow.

I'm going to work your butt off.

You know this is your fault. Now he's mad.

From now on, just stay out of it.

OK?

Stay out of it.

[door slams]

I swear, Ricky, got to tell your dad to chill out.

He was only being hard on us for our own good.

Really believe that?

If he didn't care, he wouldn't get so upset.

Doesn't want us to be wimps.

Hi, Ricky.

Well, if it isn't Charley DuBois.

Ha, ha, very funny.

Hey, I just came by to say that I don't have any hard feelings

about not playing on your team.

You weren't good enough.

That's why you're not on our team.

If I'm not good enough, then why

did I beat you in that race?

I let you win.

No way and you know it.

Are you calling me a liar?

I could beat you any day.

Quit pushing me.

Don't tell me what to do.

I'll push any time I want to.

[kids yelling]

I have got to get home.

No, you're going to stay here till she comes out.

You owe her an apology.

I don't owe her anything.

She asked for it.

I wasn't going to stand there and listen to how

much better she is than me.

Oh, so you were going to show her how much better you were,

huh?

If she wants to play with the guys,

she's going to have to play by our rules.

Starting to sound like your father.

Well, he's right.

Is he?

Do you think Charlie is better than you are?

No.

Then why did you hit her?

I felt I had to do something.

OK.

I just didn't think.

Look, I like Charlie.

Really sorry I hit her.

Why don't you tell her that when she comes out.

You all right?

Stopped bleeding, I think.

Ricky wants to talk to you.

I've got nothing to say to him.

He was to say he's sorry.

Give him a chance.

You want to say something?

I'm waiting.

Well, if you're going to be like that, forget it.

Be like what?

I'm not the one who started that fight.

Look, you didn't have to go around bragging

that you beat me in a race.

I can't help it if I'm faster than you.

What difference does it make anyway?

I guess it doesn't make a difference.

I'm sorry that I hit you.

It was wrong.

Apology accepted.

You punch harder than I do.

I feel really bad.

You're going to be OK?

Yeah, I'm a tomboy, remember?

I don't even know why I did it This will sound kind of funny,

but maybe it was to please my father.

I understand.

I mean, it's like I try so hard to be

exactly what he wants me to, and if I'm not the best.

I thought I was the only one who felt that way.

You're a girl.

Whatever you do is OK.

I was supposed to be a boy.

I started with two strikes against me from the beginning.

But everybody can see that your father loves you.

I know, but that's why I never want to disappoint him.

Man, I guess it's kind of the same.

Must have been pretty hard for you to say you're sorry.

Yeah.

But I'm glad I did.

Me too.

You're pretty neat, Charlene.

You're pretty neat too.

Can you eat a piece of pizza that that thing

stuck up your nose?

Yeah.

Few minutes, we'll be able to put those steaks on.

Oh, sometimes you can be the sweetest man.

Come on, you know I'm just a big pussy cat.

I'm home.

About time.

We're in here.

Hi.

Mr Smith dropped me off.

Sorry I was late.

Where have you been?

I saw Charlie at the video arcade.

We got to talking about the trials the other day.

And?

We got in a fight and I hit her.

Hit her?

I didn't raise my son to go around beating up

helpless girls.

Dad, I said I was sorry.

I know it was wrong.

I'm going to show you how wrong it was.

Please.

He made a mistake.

He said he was sorry.

Now, don't go butting your nose

in where it doesn't belong.

He's my son.

Bye, Smith.

Don't worry. He won't hurt him.

He loves them too much to do that.

I hope you don't mind my asking,

but how can you just stand there and not say anything?

Vince is right.

I'm only his stepmother.

My husband has a right to raise his son as he sees fit,

doesn't He I'd say that was true if you were alone.

But you're his wife.

Vince and I have a good relationship.

I don't want to lose that.

Since when does trying to be a good mother

wreck good relationship?

It's not that simple.

I didn't say it was simple.

But if you're ever going to be a family somewhere along the line

you're going to have to say, hey, I'm part of this I'm

not just here to keep house.

Look, I think you better leave, all right?

OK.

I don't blame you for being angry.

It's what happens when people say what they feel.

Maybe you ought to try it sometime.

Good night.

What the hell's the matter with you?

Supposed to be a five step drop, not a seven step drop.

Where's your mind today?

Can't you do anything right?

Look, we've been doing this all day.

What difference does it make?

Makes a lot of difference.

We'll keep doing it till you do it right.

I don't care if we're here till Christmas.

Now do it again.

Use your mind.

Down.

Set.

Go.

That's terrific.

What are you trying to, give the game to the other team?

You threw it right to them.

Just get off my back, OK?

Hey, don't badmouth me.

You'll be sitting on the bench so fast you

won't know how you got there.

Just do it again.

- No. - That's it.

You're on the bench.

You can take your bench and shove it.

I quit.

That's great.

Walk away.

You're a quitter.

Wimp.

I never want to see you out here again.

All right, Crow, take over as quarterback.

How are you doing?

OK.

You're off practice pretty early.

Well, I had a lot of homework to finish.

Come on, jump in.

I'll give you a ride home.

Quit the team.

Oh.

Couldn't take it any more.

What did your father say?

Usual.

I'm a quitter, a wimp.

And what about football?

What about it?

Oh, come on.

You love football and you know it.

Yeah, I know it, but not playing for my dad.

Play for some other team.

What, are you kidding?

No, I'm not kidding.

I mean, where is it written you got

to play on your father's team?

Nowhere, but--

So you're afraid.

Yeah.

Maybe he's right.

Maybe I am a wimp.

No, you're not.

Look, I'd be afraid.

So would any kid.

Doing what you think is right is part of growing up.

You think you're doing the right thing, don't you?

I know I am.

All right, then, pump up that heart of yours,

take a deep breath and do it.

Dad.

Not now, son.

You want to talk to me about getting back on the football

team, we'll do it after supper.

Right now, I want to enjoy my meal.

I wasn't going to ask you about getting back on the team.

Then what's there to talk about?

I want your permission to play for the Minnows.

Is this some kind of a joke?

No, it's not a joke.

I like football and I want to play.

Well, you had a team to play on and you quit.

So you're not going to play for anybody else.

I don't think that's fair.

You don't think it's fair?

You hear that, Helen?

He doesn't think it's fair.

Let me tell you something about being fair.

How many fathers do you think would spend

hour after hour trying to get you guys

to be a good football team?

How many?

None.

And how many days a week do I spend working on your game?

Every day.

So, what do you do?

You quit.

You walk out on me.

How do you think that made me feel in front of those boys?

How do you think it made me feel?

I know it bothered you.

Bothered me?

You broke my heart.

Understand that?

You broke my heart.

Now you want to play for another team?

Well, get out of here.

Go on.

[door slams]

It's all right.

It's only me.

I thought you might want to talk.

What's there to talk about?

You heard him.

He makes the rules.

I never should have let Mr Smith talk me into this.

He said you have to do what you think is right.

It's part of being a man.

Well, I guess that's part of being a mother too.

Vince, I want you to let him play for the Minnows.

What?

Who's it going to hurt?

It's going to hurt me, that's who.

Did you listen to anything I had to say at the table?

Yes, I listened.

I always listen.

And now it's time that you listen to me.

When we got married, we knew it wouldn't be easy with Ricky.

But I thought after a time that we could be a family.

Come on, we are a family.

No.

You and Ricky are a family, a family

that isn't getting along very well

right now, but still a family.

I am just an outsider, with no right to an opinion as to how

that boy should be raised.

He is my son.

And he's my stepson.

And we live in the same house and I can't make him love me.

But I can make him respect me.

And I can make him think of me as a friend

if I'm given a chance.

Helen.

Let me finish.

I have stood back and I've listened to his insults,

waiting for you to do something.

Well I was wrong.

Now from now on when he is wrong I'm going to let him

know it in no uncertain terms.

And when he's right, I'm going to let him know that too.

And this time I think he's right.

So I'm giving him permission to play for the Minnows.

And one more thing, if your son ever

decides to play football for you again,

I want those practices cut down to three days a week.

I know it doesn't seem important.

But I want him to learn to read.

[door slams]

You're playing for the Minnows.

Dad said I could?

No, your stepmother said you could.

Have done all your homework?

No, I have some math left to do.

Well do it, or you won't play for the Minnows.

[clanks]

[clank]

You're here in the middle of the night.

Look, I had to tell you, I'm on your team.

What?

I quit my dad's team.

I couldn't play for him anymore.

He let you play for us?

No, but my mom, well, my stepmom did it.

I couldn't believe it.

We've only got one more day to the game.

I mean, we've got to practice, get our timing down.

Yeah, I know.

Wait.

Let's go.

Now?

Yeah, the pros play at night.

OK.

OK, down and out to the right.

Touchdown.

Yeah.

Gather round, gather round.

Listen up.

This team is 0 and 5.

They're going to do anything against us,

they're going to throw the ball.

I want pressure on that quarterback.

You understand?

Yes, sir.

All right.

Coach, I'd feel a lot better Ricky was playing for us.

We'll do fine without him.

You boys are ready.

We don't need him.

All right, guys.

You've worked hard all week long.

You know the plays.

You're ready.

All I'm asking you to do is to go out on the field

and have some fun.

All right?

I mean, this is a game.

It's no big thing.

There's something like 600 million Chinese don't even

know we're here today.

And if they did know, they couldn't

care less what happens.

So let's have fun.

Say that with me.

Let's have fun.

I can't hear you, guys.

Let's have fun!

Come on, give me a hand.

Come on.

Go, Minnows!

Go Minnows.

[whistle]

[cheering]

[whistle]

[cheering]

[cheering]

[cheering]

[cheering]

[whistle]

Time out.

Hold

Them!

OK, we got three seconds left.

Time enough for this one last play.

Go right, All straight.

On go.

Ready?

Break.

Down.

Set.

Go.

[cheering]

Your son played a great game today.

Yeah, for the other team.

It's the best game I've ever seen him play.

You taught him all the skills.

What you never let him do is just play.

He had a lot of fun out there.

Maybe you're right.

I guess I never saw it that way.

Take care of yourself.

Tough loss.

Yeah.

Kid played great, didn't he?

Yeah, he did.

I was proud of him.

You going to tell him that?

Yeah.

Mark, Mark.

Can my girl play football or what?

Are you telling me?

Listen, Charlene and Ricky are on the same team,

I think we can make the playoffs.

Hey, Charlie, Charlie.

Charlie.

I'm here, Dad.

Can I go to the dance at school tonight at the school?

You want to go to the dance?

Yeah.

I do.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, sure why not.

Thanks.

I'll see you at home, Dad.

I don't believe it.

She's acting like a girl.

Well don't take it like you're losing a wide receiver,

take it like you're gaining a quarterback.

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