Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
A disgraced basketball coach is given the chance to coach Los Amigos, a team of players who are intellectually disabled, and soon realizes they just might have what it takes to make it to the national championships.
Champions (2018) is a warmhearted Spanish sports comedy-drama that follows a fairly predictable redemption-arc formula — disgraced coach finds purpose coaching an underdog team of intellectually disabled players. The plot hits familiar beats without much surprise, and the cinematography is functional rather than distinctive. Acting is solid and charming, particularly from the ensemble of players with intellectual disabilities, which gives the film genuine heart. The ending delivers the expected feel-good resolution competently. Novelty is limited as the concept, while touching, follows the well-worn sports underdog template closely.