thomasw-03927 This is a great movie. The movie is based on a true story and very inspirational. The producer knew the original events personally, growing up around them, creating authenticity. Many of the original athletes and coaches were interviewed, increasing credibility. Original footage of the team's games is seen in the credits and DVD extras, which is a fun flashback.This is a sports movie and for once the actors actually know how to play the sport. The games are believable, because they are real.The movie has many inspirational elements, as mentioned by other reviewers. I highly recommend this movie.Acting was great and you actually get to know the participants as you watch the film--real theater, not just hollow entertainment. There is real drama, both in the lives of the participants and in the struggles of the small college.

SnoopyStyle It's 1971 at the all-girls Immaculata College outside of Philidelphia. Mother St. John (Ellen Burstyn) hires Cathy Rush (Carla Gugino) to be the basketball coach. There is no real money, the gym burnt down, and the college is threatened to be sold off. Cathy's NBA ref husband Ed Rush (David Boreanaz) wants her to be more of a housewife. The rules have recently changed to allow the girls play the men's game. Sister Sunday (Marley Shelton) becomes the assistant. The girls struggle with loss after loss until Cathy molds them into a championship team.This is formulaic but that's no problem for a formulaic sports movie. It's endearing in its own way. The major missing element is a bigger part for one of the players performed by a bright young star. The girls are more or less blanks except for a couple scenes. They are played by relative unknowns and they don't excel. On the other hand, Carla Gugino is great. The big emotional scene of the girl silently weeping in the van after a lost is very good. However, none of the games nor the story are terribly surprising or exciting. The story is fit for a sincere feel-good telling and this does it in a very standard way.

herbqedi I lived in Paoli, not far from Immaculata and had seen the campus several times. What Cathy Rush accomplished was amazing at a time when women's college basketball wasn't even on the map. Rush was reasonable attractive but Carla Guggino is much "hotter" of course. Acting-wise, she captured Rush's spirit and intensity perfectly. This really is a rare sports story where not only did David beat Goliath to win the big prize but also really did change the game of women's sports and established its importance in real life. And almost all the team members went on to improve their lives and to point to this experience in doing so.The Mighty Macs is a story well worth telling. The fact that this movie, with very modest budget and production values, succeeds in telling the story so well in a fast-paced, entertaining, well-acted, and satisfying way makes it all the most special. Just like the success of the Mighty Macs themselves, the success of this product (not commercial success but its high quality) is a true team effort. Pat, Bruce, Carla, Ellen, and everyone else involved. T-E-A-M TEAM!!! Well done.

Ann Vanderlaan Based upon the true story of the Immaculata College women's basketball team, it is thoroughly refreshing to see a G-rated film with human actors in it. This values-oriented sports drama has the feel of an older, classic Hollywood film that emphasizes the importance of personal dreams, the will to win, and the need for shared sacrifice to achieve success.These women were at the forefront of everyday women's liberation, depending upon themselves rather than politicians or demonstrations to achieve their goals. Their combined efforts helped to put college women's athletic programs "on the map". Later achievements of individual team members in women's athletics, business, non-profit foundations and academia tell us just how special these women really are.