Rocket Science (discussed on Filmspotting #175)

(Rocket Science) 

 I agree with Adam's comment applauding the director's choice not to give the payoffs some of the storylines seem to be leading to.  Though this leaves the tone a bit depressing, it's ultimately more satisfying than a too-pat triumph or revenge wish-fulfillment would have been.

(spoiler notice probably needed here)

However!  Since he didn't go through with those temptations to cheap triumphs, why spend all that time and effort on the storylines building toward that?  I'm thinking particularly of the whole digression of seeking out last year's almost-champ, practicing with him, and entering the tournament as home-schoolers.  It was a lot of buildup for a rather short and undramatic deflation. 

Question:  was their coach from the public school (Margo Martindale's character) actually behind the protest and ruling that had them disqualified?   Or was she just accompanying the official, as someone who knew these boys and might help defuse the situation? 

Random comments:

I liked the cello and piano arrangement of "Blister in the Sun"!  

My complaint above about excessive buildup is meant to be related to Sam's comment about some of the minor characters being written just as comic turns, not genuine personalities.  That probably applies to the Korean neighbor/classmate to some extent and certainly to the kid who voyeurs across the street from Ginny Ryerson's house.  It's probably mistaken for me to try to stretch that to also cover the almost-champ from last year whose subplot bothered me.  

 ==Mitch

Re: Rocket Science (discussed on Filmspotting #175)

Spoiler notice stuff response:

[It was a lot of buildup for a rather short and undramatic deflation.] I agree, it was. And frustrating because I didn't buy that they would even go through that trouble if they didn't think they had a legit shot to be in the competition legally.

As far as the coach goes, I personally feel like she was happy to see him go. She was still bitter about his sudden retirement and then angry that he would dare to come back... and not for her.