Glory Lasts Forever

I watched a truly dreadful film last night

I watched “The Replacements”.  I can’t urge you strongly enough to avoid it.  The plot went something like this (and I am not spoiling it, the director did that).

1. Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves) flunks it as an Ohio State University quarterback.
2. A national team “The Washington Sentinels” go on strike – US Football players don’t get paid enough.
3. Keanu and a bunch of “Replacement” failed players are hired in a last-ditch effort to save the team.
4. They have to win 3 of the 4 last games of the season to get into the playoffs.
5. Needless to say, they lose the first game, win the second two and it all hangs – about as subtly as Clifton Suspension Bridge – on the last game.

Then came the good bit

In the last game they are being whipped 17-0 when Keanu is substituted onto the pitch and gives this fabulous pep talk:

I know you’re tired

I know you’re hurting

I wish I could say something classy and inspirational but that just wouldn’t be our style

Pain heals

Chicks dig scars

Glory lasts forever

It was one of only two bits of the whole damn film that were worth watching.

Needless to say, they go on and win, and Brooke Langton (the only other reason to watch the film, and then only if you are a middle-aged man who should know better) goes on to dig Keanu’s scars.

Getting to the point

We love a good motivational speech:

• Bill Pullman does a fabulous job in Independence Day, then kills some aliens
• Russell Crowe rouses the troops in Gladiator then unleashes hell
• Mel Gibson’s William Wallace does such a good job of slagging off the English I nearly bought a kilt

But do motivational speeches really work?

Do pep talks, posters, slogans and conferences drive performance?

Or does glory on the sports field (or battle field or maybe in an office) come down to all the hard work of: practicing, weightlifting, teamwork, eating well, coaching, running the scenarios, sports psychology…

Did the rhetoric win the match or was it the system?

Mind you, the thrill of watching Keanu’s nutritionist, psychologist, personal trainer and boot cleaner would have just made a bad film worse.