Going to the Mat (2004) (TV)

Director:

Stuart Gillard

Writers (WGA):

Chris Nolan (story) &
Laurie Nolan (story) ...

Release Date:

19 March 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Sport

Plot:

Jace Newfield has a problem. Besides being blind and being the new kid at school, his problem is that the kids at his new school thinks he's a jerk...

Plot Keywords:

Wrestling | High School Wrestling | Blindness | High School Athlete | High School Love

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Andrew Lawrence	...	Jason 'Jace' Newfield
Alessandra Torresani	...	Mary Beth Rice (as Alessandra Toreson)
Khleo Thomas	...	Vincent Fly Shue
Wayne Brady	...	Mason Wyatt
D.B. Sweeney	...	Coach Rice
Billy Aaron Brown	...	John Lambrix
Brenda Strong	...	Patty Newfield
Brian Wimmer	...	Tom Newfield
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Big Budah	...	Referee #3
Scott Christopher	...	Mr. Kamins
Kelsi Cullimore	...	Violinist
Paul Dart	...	Referee #1
Daniel Henze	...	T-Rex Turner
Ric Johnson	...	Referee #2
T.J. Lowther	...	Luke
Christopher Robin Miller	...	Phil Pavone (reporter)
David Morales	...	Kevin Wilson
Marcus T. Paulk	...	Peter
Tim Sabuco	...	Wrestler Double
Michael Scott	...	Announcer
Sean Sekino	...	Nice Guy
Darin Southam	...	Yardley
Don Spainhower	...	Announcer #2
Murphy Stack	...	Girl
Nathan Stevens	...	Davey
Dennis Whimpey	...	Referee #4
Tim Whitaker	...	Boomer Cleason
Greg Williams	...	Referee #5
Brett Yoder	...	Mike

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Netherlands:6 | USA:G

Filming Locations:

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Quotes:

Mary Beth: [after Jace tries to kiss her good night] You don't want to do that.
Jace: I don't?
Mary Beth: Well, who do you want to be bugged at you more - my dad or your coach?
Jace: Aren't they the same?
Mary Beth: Exactly. Good night, Jace.

Soundtrack:

Without A Doubt

Surprisingly Good...

I thought it would be cheesy being a Disney channel movie, but it was really good. I think Andrew Lawrence has a bright future as an actor. I was about to write him off as another Lawrence brother, but I think he's the most talented of the three. He played a blind kid very very well. His movements and his affects were very believable and he delivered his lines very well.

The story was pretty entertaining and the portrayal of the blind was pretty original, too. You don't see wrestling featured in high school movies very often, let alone consider it a sport the blind can participate in. And it was nice to see things like beeping backboards in basketball as another way to incorporate the blind into everyday things they usually couldn't have participated in before. I also really loved the music featured in the movie, especially the guitar pieces "Jace" played. It's definitely worth taping if you can catch one of the repeats.