Pickleball features some good performances, particularly from the leads. This is a plus for the movie that, unfortunately, has a lot of content when it comes to family viewing. Kevin P. Farley, the younger brother of the late actor and comedian, Chris Farley, plays a priest in the movie named Father Joseph. Willie Mellina plays a former tennis star named Miles Thompson, who, due to a knee injury, now plays competitive pickleball. Miles has an intense personality.
Justin Sterner plays Miles’ brother, Earl, and things are not always easy between them. Earl wants to win a big prize from playing video games and, after their father suddenly passes, it’s not always smooth sailing between the two. Miles eventually convinces Earl to join him in playing pickleball, and the goal is to win a big match in the finals tournament so they can reclaim the community center that their arch nemesis, Bradley Sinclair (Major Dodge), snatched from them. Like Miles, Bradley was a tennis star who also suffered a knee injury and turned to pickleball. Rounding out the leads is Jay Dee Walters as their father, Barry, who suddenly dies from a heart attack while playing pickleball. But his spirit hangs around while he is hoping for an entrance into heaven. The acting is solid in the picture.
The movie features a theme of overcoming adversity and, indeed, it has a rousing conclusion. The problem is the content that takes the viewer from point A to point B. There is a lot of strong language throughout the movie, heterosexual and homosexual innuendos, and a character during the credits who appears in only a jock strap. Fortunately, when he turns his backside to the camera, it is covered with the word “Censored.” In addition, the priest utters the word “Hell” more than once and one character can’t believe the priest talks that way. And therein lies the problem. This is not a family-friendly movie. Parents of children would feel uncomfortable watching this movie with their kids.
Some of the humor includes comments like dealing with a “ball of boogers,” and STDs are mentioned as well. In one scene, a male member of the audience holds up a sign that says, “Bradley, will you marry me?” Bradley is, as previously mentioned, one of the pickleball players. And the announcer of the finals match, named Chuck (Glenn Morshower), mentions Bradley holding a paddle in his hand and Chuck says that he is ready to be paddled by Bradley. In another scene, it’s stated Bradley would need to be in an ice tub later and Chuck comments that he would like to join him. So, there are several such innuendos in the movie. In one scene, a deceased man’s ashes are partly knocked out of the urn, and winds up in someone’s coffee. There are definitely several moments of dark humor, including when the body is dropped out of a body bag.
Although, as mentioned, the acting is solid and the forgiveness that Miles and Earl finally find for each other is commendable, the movie is strong in its content as it relates to family viewing. We list the content below. It cannot receive our Dove Family Friendly Seal.
Content Analysis: The film has a bit of a Catholic worldview, with the mention of purgatory and the possibility of being forgiven after a person has already died. Heaven is mentioned. But the desires of the flesh are strongly shown in the film with a few characters showing no restraint at all when it comes to pleasure, or selfish attitudes.
Think About It: Good discussion questions would include how does one prepare for the life following this one? Does a person trust in Christ to get there? The idea of purgatory or going straight to heaven or hell is another possible discussion topic. Living for pleasure as opposed to living modestly and helping others is another important topic.
The Dove Take: Regrettably, this movie has strong content throughout and is not designed to be a family-friendly film and is not suitable for kids.
