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“12 Mighty Orphans” is a mythical American film that is wholesome in the most “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” brand of mythical Americanism. It is designed to arouse emotions with uncritical pride, never venturing into the less immaculate corners of the historical period that it uses as a canvas.
With as many plot twists as they can throw at you, this film is about football innovation and good people assisting parentless teenagers in their transition to more self-confident young men. Adapted from Jim Dent’s novel about the real-life Mighty Mites team from the Masonic Home and School of Texas from the 1930s to the 1940s, this on-screen reformatting, directed by Ty Roberts, is competent if not particularly memorable.
The setting is a country that is emerging from the Great Depression of the 1930s. President Roosevelt has set the wheels of the New Deal in motion, and the country is hungry for stories that promise a better tomorrow for all. Rusty Russell, a teacher, coach, and World War II hero, is engulfed in that sentimentality (Luke Wilson). He relocates his family to an orphanage, the Masonic Home, in order to make a positive difference in the lives of the resident boys through academics and, more importantly, on the football field.
Blowing up the screen early on and repeating themselves throughout the film, bombastic editing choices allude to Rusty’s time on the battlefield, drawing visual parallels between war and football. These sequences, which intercut archival footage with black-and-white reenactments, detract from the overall visual appeal of David McFarland’s cinematography, which is otherwise pleasing to the eye (even if he likely shot those unfortunate snippets too).
The vast majority of the boys we meet, including those who make the cut for the final dozen, don’t get much of a backstory; in fact, some of them never speak at all. Hardy Brown (Jake Austin Walker), the requisite rambunctious sheep, is a notable exception to this general rule. He is the prodigal son who, following both biblical parables and clichés common to movies about coaches and underdog teams, returns home and proves himself to be an indispensable member of the family. He’s the MVP who could have easily gone MIA if it weren’t for Rusty’s intervention.
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Walker’s performance is permeated with pent-up rage. His dangerous self-destructiveness and pessimism give “12 Mighty Orphans” a slightly edgier tone than the rest of the film. Despite the fact that we are well aware of the formulaic progression of the story, he cuts through Russell’s saccharine determinism with a razor blade. When given a more complex stage on which to perform his craft, this young actor is capable of creating explosive, can’t-look-away scenes.
At the very least, Roberts, who co-wrote the screenplay with Lane Garrison and Kevin Meyer, understands that his actors are the only assets that can’t be taken away from him. As an orphan himself, Wilson’s straight-laced confidence, delivered in rousing motivational speeches in which he shares his past lack of self-worth with the audience, hammers home his position as a pastor of the field, unwilling to leave his flock unattended. A few instances of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increase this character’s vulnerability, while also providing Wilson with an opportunity to practice heartfelt paternalism. This drama, which is based on a true story, will look good on Wilson’s resume.
Russell’s strict demeanor is mirrored by Martin Sheen’s Doctor Hall, a man dedicated to these ex-hooligans turned sportsmen who, however, is struggling with an alcohol addiction of his own. Against the cartoonish villains attempting to derail the team’s ascent to glory, one of whom is played by a clumsily violent Wayne Knight, Wilson and Sheen’s humble sharpness stands out.
12 Mighty Orphans Quiz
When it comes to packing in so much information as possible, montages are used extensively, and they almost feel like trailers for their own movie. As Russell begins to transform the players from the inside out, infusing their minds with positive affirmations, we witness their ascent to prominence in the public eye, with Roosevelt allegedly investing in their successes. They are scrawny and inexperienced, but they have an advantage thanks to their coach’s unique formations, which allow them to maximize their speed. Russell is credited with inventing the “spread defense,” which is now widely used but was a novel concept at the time.
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Unexpectedly, for a story that appears to be inherently conservative and WASPy, there is no overtly religious messaging in the storyline. It is primarily concerned with personal development through the guidance of a mentor, despite the fact that it largely ignores all of the other disadvantages that impoverished people face in their lives. As Mighty Mites serve as role models for the general public, “12 Mighty Orphans” promotes a sense of gung-ho aspirationalism.
In keeping with the narrative’s forced innocence, there is no mention of the teens’ sexual awakening, nor is there any discussion of their romantic interests in the girls with whom they share the institution or with their new fans. There is only one legitimate union presented in the film, and that is Rusty and Juanita Russell’s unbreakable marriage (a player is also briefly seen giving his girlfriend a ring). It could be argued that Roberts’ film takes place in a parallel universe to the “Conjuring” franchise, which promotes nostalgia for a bygone era in which traditional values and clearly defined social roles prevailed.
Additionally, at least two of the boys are believed to be of Latin American descent, most likely Mexican: A.P. Torres (Tyler Silva) and Carlos Torres (Jose Luis Garcia) (Manuel Tapia). They appear to have been overlooked as an opportunity for a more in-depth examination of this era from a non-white perspective. There was no doubt that growing up as a dark-skinned orphan of Mexican descent was a different experience from growing up with white teammates. We learn absolutely nothing about them other than what is revealed in the title cards at the end of the film. All we get is Sheen saying a single line in Spanish early on in the film. There are several ways to bring contemporary relevance to this coming-of-age period piece, beginning with more developed characters and progressing from there.
About the quiz
Those who enjoy football, as well as those who yearn for the bygone era of old timey sayings and men of conventional character, may find enjoyment in the film’s clearly laid out plot structure. Others will be at the mercy of its barrage of inspiration, which will be devoid of any discernible direction.
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Select theaters are now showing the film.
For more personality quizzes check this: Boogie Quiz.
