Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Seann William Scott is vastly underrated as a comedic actor. While best known for his work in broad comedies like Dude Where’s My Car? and American Pie, anyone who’s seen Role Models or The Rundown is acutely aware that SWS knows how to deliver plenty of LOLs. Never is that sentiment more evident than in the 2011 sports comedy Goon, which is now streaming on Netflix.
Written by Man Seeking Woman star Jay Baruchel and Evan Goldberg, this indie charmer is a deft blend of action, humor, and heart that possesses a little something for everyone. Goon has the raw action you’d come to expect from a sports film, the depth and humor of an Apatow movie, and an adorable love story that will satisfy fans of the traditional rom-com. Plus, lots and lots of dudes getting punched square in the kisser.
You wouldn’t think a film ostensibly about a bouncer turned hockey enforcer would be filled with so many tender moments, but Scott’s portrayal of simple, guileless Doug Glatt turns a movie that could have been just another formulaic connect the dots sports flick into an unexpectedly emotional cinematic experience.
Seann William Scott gives the performance of his career in Goon. Doug Glatt is as sweet and earnest as they come, but he’s also dumb as a box of hammers. He may not understand much, but he’s painfully aware of his limitations as the film toggles between the physical brutality of hockey and the emotional brutality of Glatt’s relatable quest to find both purpose and acceptance.
Both Baruchel and Goldberg have worked with Judd Apatow and his influence can be felt in Goon. It’s a distinct, sincere film that deserves to be mentioned on the short list of greatest hockey movies of all time. Well-received by audiences and critics alike, a sequel is set to be released in the United States on September 1st.
With plenty of humor, heart, and punching, Goon offers up a cinematic hat trick of entertainment. Catch up on the original before the puck drops on the sequel next month.
