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The Psychology of Winning

Artist & Author | Near Mt. Baker, WA | 01/23/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The lesson in this movie that stands out in my mind is when the girl that Greg likes talks to him about the need for them to forgive their fathers, who both are in prison, for their activities that disgraced the family. However, there are two elements to this. I agree that complete forgiveness is in order if the father shows remorse for his crime. What if he doesn't? Or, even worse, what if he can hardly wait to get out of prison so he can seek revenge on those who put him there, or to commit more crimes? This should provide good family discussion of various aspects of forgiveness.

The main theme of the movie, however, is the need to set a goal and then let nothing (honorable) get in the way of achieving it. In athletics this includes intensive training. However, it also includes mentally focusing on the goal until it becomes such a drive it is an automatic response when the challenge is presented. The message is there, but not particularly smoothly delivered. Parents should discuss with their children the necessity of training or study to achieve a goal, as well as the need to psychologically 'program' themselves to accomplish that goal.

I wish I could give this movie a higher rating, but, as is typical for many of these Feature Films for Families movies, I don't think the story was told particularly well. Also, I think it would have been much better if Greg's mentor was a real Native American sports hero and not some 'spirit' of Jim Thorpe. The lessons given in this movie are very good, but they feel somewhat disjointed."