Slap Shot (1977)
Last Watch Date - October 18, 2026
Total Times Watched - Tons
Comments
I suppose since I haven't reviewed this yet, that probably means I haven't seen it since pre-2020. This movie was a classic growing up and I was able to get my oldest to watch it with me tonight. Because I've seen it more recently (within the last 7 or so years), there isn't as much of a "does it hold up?" question in my mind.
That's not to say that this movie is not of its time. It's VERY 1970s in the language, the slurs, the stuff in town closing, the bicentennial, the fashion, even the hockey. But despite all of that, it has a lot of charm and a lot to like. Paul Newman's character has a line about sexual orientation not mattering, it's natural, etc.
This movie was filmed in Johnstown PA and loosely based on the real Johnstown Jets. Growing up in a similarly declining PA town, this movie feels incredibly real overall. I was born not long after this came out and remember living through a town that basically had that same stuff going on – lots of drunks, cheating, hanging at the bar, etc. Obviously I was not hanging at the bar myself but all of the adults were.
Back to the movie.. Paul Newman's character is such a BSer but he's funny. I think this might be his best role he ever played. Also the hockey itself is a real treat in the movie outside of the constant fights. There are some really cool scenes filmed with someone? skating in front of the action. It's all so well done that it's hard to believe they got together enough good skaters and players to make it look as good as they did.
I have read in the past that people think it's too raunchy or sexist or whatever. I don't really think that's true, though. There are sexist characters or some largely of-the-time things going on, but they are surprisingly progressive in a lot of ways. Again, I'm not going to say that a kid who grew up in the 2010s or 2020s is going to think this is normal language, but having grown up around much worse stuff being said, this really was progressive for its time. The women also have real autonomy and do things for themselves, not simply because their husband (or a man in general) tells them to. When I think of it, I'm not sure why people even go back and try to view these movies in that sort of lens anyway. What is the point of it? You can't apply today's standards to a movie that's 50 years old. ALSO this is a comedy, so .. get your priorities straight!
Recommended?
Yeah, it's a funny movie still. Great hockey, an interesting look at a dying town with a team suffering because of it and the relationships between players, their wives, and fans.