Watch Gracie

Gracie is a heartwarming sports drama film from 2007, directed by Davis Guggenheim and starring Carly Schroeder, Andrew Shue, and Elisabeth Shue. The movie takes place in the 1970s and follows the life of 15-year-old Gracie Bowen, a soccer-obsessed teenager who dreams of playing on the boys' varsity team at her high school. Gracie's story begins with a family tragedy. Her older brother Johnny, the star of the boys' soccer team, dies in a car accident, leaving a huge void in the Bowen family. Gracie, who looked up to Johnny and shared his passion for soccer, is devastated by his loss. To cope with the grief, Gracie turns to soccer and becomes even more determined to follow in Johnny's footsteps. Unfortunately, playing soccer at her high school is not an option for Gracie. At the time, Title IX, the landmark federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education and athletics programs, had not yet been fully implemented. As a result, girls who wanted to play sports faced many obstacles, including a lack of funding, poor equipment, and limited opportunities to compete. Gracie's school only has a girls' soccer team, which is poorly funded and doesn't get much attention from the administration or the community. Despite the discouraging circumstances, Gracie refuses to give up on her dream. She decides to create her own path and train on her own, with the help of her father Bryan (played by Dermot Mulroney) and her mother Lindsay (Elisabeth Shue). Bryan is a former soccer player who still coaches kids in the neighborhood, while Lindsay is a working mom who supports Gracie but is also worried about her safety and well-being. Gracie's journey is not easy. She has to overcome physical, emotional, and social barriers to prove that she's good enough to play with the boys. She faces resistance from her peers, who mock her and refuse to accept her as a teammate. She also faces skepticism from her coach (Andrew Shue), who is reluctant to let her try out for the varsity team. But Gracie doesn't let any of these obstacles stop her. She works tirelessly on her skills, pushes herself to the limit, and stays true to her values of dedication, discipline, and teamwork. As Gracie's training progresses, she starts to gain some recognition and respect from her peers and her coach. She earns a spot on the junior varsity team, where she proves that she can hold her own against boys who are bigger, stronger, and more experienced than her. She also develops a close relationship with her brother's best friend, Owen (Jesse Lee Soffer), who becomes her ally and confidante. Ultimately, Gracie's hard work pays off. She gets a chance to try out for the varsity team, where she faces her toughest challenge yet. She has to compete against a rival team that is determined to beat her and prove that girls don't belong on the field. The game is intense, emotional, and thrilling, as both teams give it their all to win. Gracie plays with courage and skill, inspiring her teammates and her family to believe in her. Gracie is a touching and inspiring film that celebrates the power of perseverance, the importance of family, and the spirit of Title IX. It tells a compelling story of a young girl who refuses to be defined by her gender or her grief and follows her dream with courage and conviction. The film features excellent performances by Carly Schroeder, Andrew Shue, and Elisabeth Shue, who bring depth and authenticity to their roles. The direction by Davis Guggenheim is sensitive and effective, capturing both the beauty and the brutality of the sport. Overall, Gracie is a must-see movie for anyone who loves sports, family dramas, or coming-of-age stories.