I am of two minds about Champions. On the one hand it is the sort of predictable feel-good comedy that doesn't have any really funny moments that aren't in the trailer and follows an easily predictable story with no real surprises anywhere. On the other it does allow its characters to be real characters, not just noble stereotypes, and even consciously wrestles with the way the narrative of disabled adults serving the character arc of an able-bodied man is exploitative.
I get frustrated with movies that use cognitively disabled people as a plot device for the development of average characters. Champions seems to be keenly aware of this and even though it's sort of doing it, it is also critiquing itself for it. Yet it doesn't stop itself from doing it. I kept going back and forth on this. In the end Champions does its team of "friends" justice in rather robust portrayals, and while it is still all in service of Harrelson's character.
And as movie generally it is feel-good for sure, predictable as all hell, and only mildly funny. So generally quite average outside of its other issues.
Champions
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Kaitlin Olson, Ernie Hudson, Cheech Marin, Joshua Felder, Kevin Ianucci, Madison Telvin
Director: Bobby Farrelly
Writer: Mark Rizzo
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