MovieChat Forums > All the Right Moves (1983) Discussion > Nostalga Rant: Character Opinion

Nostalga Rant: Character Opinion

posted 9 years ago by Nephlim14
3 replies | jump to latest

Hello everyone.

Recently I have read entries that try to make Stefan seem more flawed than he was and make the coach seem sympathetic. To this, I would like to clarify that both characters are in their role for a reason.

Stefan is the PROTAGONIST (Hero).
-He was just a decent kid trying to make it out of his small town through football.
-While he was full of ambition, he remembered that he was surrounded by people with the same dream and believed it was a reason for them to support each other.
-While he was hot tempered, it was usually for the right reasons, such as the coach treating his players like garbage, and Boris refusing to clear Stefan's name out of envy/spite.

The coach was the ANTAGONIST (VILLAIN)
-While he had the same ambition, he believed he was the only one that mattered and was willing to crush the dreams of others, such as his players, either to further his own progress or out of petty spite.
-He was also easy to anger, but it was when someone dare to call him out on his garbage.

The only mistake Stefan made was getting in the wrong car. He had no idea what the men would do and he couldn't even handle Boris' goons in a fight, let alone stop them by himself.

The movie wasn't about the protagonist "learning a lesson", a rare occurence. It was about the protagonist just dealing with a situation/challenge and that's all.

If anyone agrees/disagrees, please reply.

[–] Arancini 8 years ago

I agree.
Most of the coaches I had were not like Nickerson.
Unfortunately the last one I had...was.
Yes, they can affect your lives, both positively and or negatively long after your school days are over.

[–] Levant567 8 years ago

I also agree. The moment that confirms Nickerson's role as antagonist for me was in the sheds after the loss. The way he turned on his team, particularly Salvucci and later Stefan, because he himself was under pressure was pretty poor. It was a real moment for the boy's to learn something about themselves and build character but he failed as a leader.

I played for some coaches who were similar to Nickerson. Looking back now they seemed to be there for the feeling of power and enjoyed having control over others rather than helping to shape young men and encourage growth. But that's my opinion, from my experience.

Stefan was a great flawed character and felt like a real teen. Despite his flaws, he seemed to genuinely care for those around him. I do think however that Stefan did learn lessons. For example, you could say he was cocky and self-absorbed at the film's start and later learnt humility and maybe selflessness through fighting for what he wants (scholarship, Lisa) rather than expecting them to come to him/losing his role on the team/experiencing the real world through hard work/learning that not only he has problems (brother laid off, friend forced to reassess his dreams, Lisa too wanting a scholarship). The scene where he realises through Lisa that he has been entitled through football is a big moment for him.

[–] Nephlim14 8 years ago

For example, you could say he was cocky and self-absorbed at the film's start and later learnt humility and maybe selflessness through fighting for what he wants (scholarship, Lisa) rather than expecting them to come to him/losing his role on the team/experiencing the real world through hard work/learning that not only he has problems (brother laid off, friend forced to reassess his dreams, Lisa too wanting a scholarship). The scene where he realises through Lisa that he has been entitled through football is a big moment for him.

Could you pleasename a scene where he seemed entitled, cocky or selfish>