“Campeones” (Champions): A Wonderful Spanish Film That Really Delivers There are movies that appear unexpectedly and just completely impress you, and “Campeones” is precisely that sort of pleasant discovery. This 2018 Spanish comedy had me smiling throughout the entire time I watched it. The film centers on Marco, portrayed wonderfully by Javier Gutiérrez, a basketball coach who isn’t among the best and seems to have some unresolved problems. Following an outburst where he pushes the head coach during a game, our temperamental main character gets into trouble with the legal system. The judge's unusual sentence? Three months coaching a basketball team made up of players with intellectual disabilities. What could easily have become a source of easy jokes or patronizing storytelling becomes something truly exceptional, thanks to screenwriter David Marqués and director Javier Fesser's careful handling of the material. Their clever decision was to cast actual individuals with intellectual disabilities as the team members – none of whom had any prior acting experience. And it really shows! The genuineness they bring to their roles is impossible to imitate, creating a group that feels incredibly authentic and very likable. There's also a romantic storyline incorporated into the main plot, which gives the film elements of a romantic comedy without overshadowing the central story. But the true connection here is seeing Marco’s change from someone who only thinks about himself to a person who genuinely cares about his team and their progress – both in games and in life. Gutiérrez deserves particular praise for his performance. His character's journey from unpleasant person to decent human being is beautifully detailed, never feeling contrived or rushed. He manages to make Marco’s growth feel earned and believable, which isn’t easy to do. Although there have been versions of this film made in other countries, you should really watch the original. The special quality created by this unique cast simply can’t be duplicated. It's a genuine – warm, funny, and sincerely touching – movie that earns every laugh and moment of emotion honestly. Occasionally, the best comedies are those that make you feel something while you’re laughing. “Campeones” finds that perfect balance.

Source on TMDB