by Gary Sacco

Created on: January 18, 2009

"Another Will Ferrell homage to the 70's," I sighed. While "Anchorman: The Ron Burgundy Story" saluted the sexist behavior in newsrooms and egocentricity of a local pseudo stud TV broadcaster, "Semi Pro" dribbles all over the old American Basketball Association. I ultimately decided the grab the DVD for a reasonable $11.00. After a night out, my friend and I slid the DVD in. It was 2:30am and we both dozed off less than half way through, fatigue and alcohol presumably to blame. I'd like to believe that "Semi Pro" was a little more exciting than that. Alas, a few days later, I watched the entire film learning that it did possess a few humorous chops and shed light on a long ago defunct league. However, like the alcoholic blue- collar worker who picks up his nightly bottle of Jack Daniels, from the liquor store, the underdog story was painfully familiar. The gags were mostly superficial. As usual, though, Ferrell managed to inject a small dose of charisma into the lead character.

Submerged below the hilarity existed, at least personality, a sliver of depression. ABA supporters, especially the followers of smaller franchises, were crestfallen when that league failed. I remember the North American Soccer League. Our parents regularly took my brother, and I, to dilapidated Holleder Stadium to watch the Rochester Lancers. In 1979, the club, unable to compete with NASL's big spenders, collapsed. Big time soccer has never returned to Rochester.

Semi Pro's plot centers around the fictitious Flint Tropics, owned and coached by one hit wonder Jackie Moon (Will Ferrell). The pop sensation throws much of his money into purchasing, and running, this floundering franchise. The colorful, but inept, owner decides to coach the team and inserts himself into the starting lineup. Director Kent Alterman follows a minimalist approach. There is a noticeable lack of cinematic tricks, weird camera angles and only one bizarre dream sequence, involving Moon reuniting with his mother, in heaven, after getting knocked out, by the Spurs' toughest goon. During this mystical encounter, his mother articulates the previously unknown Alleyoop play. Alterman lets the story tell its uncomplicated self and yields to Ferrell's crazy persona.

I've concluded that Ferrell is really a character actor who plays himself. This comedian has a reputation for portraying guys that are lovable, delusional, goofy and often caught up in the momentum of an era, or role. They are usually morally loose, idiosyncratic

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