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 A Breakaway Family Film with all the
Right Moves
Her Best Move (2006,
Summertime Films)
The goal, U.S. National Soccer Development Team! That is what is
driving 15-year old Sara Davies (Leah Pipes), and after 10 years of
training, she seems to have the right moves to achieve the goal.
She could be the youngest player ever selected. However, at what
cost? Getting left out of usual school activities, losing touch
with one’s best friend, missing out on boyfriends, not having time to
pursue other interests or goals? And who is doing the real
driving?
Sara pushes hard, and performs well, while under the scrutiny of the
Development Team’s scouts. However, she learns that she was not
selected, but is told to look forward to next year’s scouting.
This provides an opening for Sara to get caught up on the things she
had set aside; dancing class, bonding with her best friend, attending
the school’s Spring Fling dance, and, oh yes, boys.
Sara’s mother (Lisa Darr) tries to bridge the gap left by Sara’s father
Gil (Scott Patterson). Gil not only coaches Sara in her pursuit of
soccer perfection, but also coaches a professional soccer team.
His devotion to soccer keeps him from home, as he sleeps and eats
soccer. Sara’s best friend, Tutti (Lalaine) fills in as Sara’s
social coach. Just as Sara is starting to get her normal teen
social legs under her, she learns that there is another chance for the
Development Team.
Can Sara balance her re-awakened pursuits and the drive (fueled by her
father) of achieving national attention in the women’s soccer
world? Or, will this joint obsession now smother her re-ignited
interests? What affect will it have on the new relationship
blossoming between her and the school photographer Josh (Drew Tyler
Bell)? How will Sara’s school soccer team fair during the State
Finals as she competes against other teammates with a shot for the
Development Team?
 Her Best Move attacks these and other dramatic themes
with the skills of a well-honed team. Do not be fooled by the
“Family Film” moniker, this is not your normal run-of-the-mill
after-school-special. Her Best Move is a dramatic film that stands on
its own. The film has a message to deliver, but does so without
getting preachy. It is an engaging and thought provoking
drama. While, on the rare occasion it may miss the ball, it never
fails to regain its feet and attack for the game-winning goal.
Her Best Move is a film that should be on every family’s to-view list,
whether they have teenage girls playing soccer or not. While the
soccer action is thrilling to watch, the themes and issues tackled in
the film are relevant to all families. Especially those with
teens who are attempting to find their own goals in life, as well as
parents who find themselves driven to push their children in the
“right” direction.
Leah Pipes shows great depth and control in her performance. I
hope to see her in future feature film projects that are as well
written and directed. While Leah’s character is the center of the
film, the support provided by the rest of the cast keeps pace and forms
the perfect team to carry the film through to its final goal.
Many aspects of this project would appear, on the surface, to keep it
from making a winning goal. Her Best Move is Norm Hunter’s first
film project (as writer, director and producer), the small budget
(rumored to be under $1.5 million) and no big-named Hollywood star
power. However, the team assembled by Norm Hunter proves up to
the game. 
Women’s soccer legend Brandi Chastain (famous for her game-winning
penalty kick and celebration in the US Women’s National Team landmark
1999 World Cup victory) was brought in early as script advisor. Kevin
Boyd (U.C. Berkeley’s Head Coach for Women’s Varsity Soccer) was also
instrumental as script advisor and choreographer for the on-field
action. Paul Ryan (Academy Award Winner for Best Cinematography,
A River Runs Through It and The Horse Whisperer) as Director of
Photography. Norm also assembled an impressive production team
with a well-established tenure. Add the strong cast of actors, a
fitting soundtrack provided by Music Supervisor Elliot Lurie, and
outstanding soccer action (provided by some of the game’s best at the
collegiate, National Team, Olympic and professional levels), and we
have a warmhearted dramatic film fit for the whole family..
 Don’t worry that you
missed this fine film in the theaters, it never saw a theatrical
release. Thankfully, it is available
on DVD directly from Summertime
Films.
Running Time: 102 minutes
Audio: 5.1 Surround Sound
Video: Widescreen
Rated G
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