Win Win A film review

It’s nice to see a movie portray teens favorably. In Win Win, a troubled teen rebel with a cause draws adults and kids alike to him. He’s got big problems at home but he’s a great wrestler, a good student with a lot of charisma, mature, but still a kid. And he cares for his grandfather who needs him. But things get complicated as Mike Flaherty, the lawyer for Kyle’s grandfather finds out when Kyle ends up living with him and his family amid a legal brouhaha with Kyle’s mother.
The lawyer, played by Paul Giammatti, is also a high school wrestling coach. And in these times even lawyers need money. He arranges with the court to become Kyle’s grandfather’s legal guardian in order to get a part of the grandfather’s estate. Kyle’s mother, a recovering drug addict, appears suddenly and the predictable battle over money ensues.
The film though by director Thomas McCarthy who also did “the Station Agent,” does a good job balancing adult situations and teens’ high school life. It seems to capture each real well. And it has humor too. Bobby Cannavale as a new assistant coach, who wants to get involved to get his mind off his ex-wife, adds comic relief in several scenes. The best scene though involves Kyle’s mother and Mike, the lawyer after a wrestling match in which Kyle is disqualified for rough play. They’re trying to negotiate a deal for custody of Kyle and his grandfather. They’re outside of the courtroom, in casual dress, and finally upfront about their motives. I always like scenes that go on longer than you think they will, when the drama hits the right note and carries itself past the director’s motion to cut.
Another great scene is with Kyle, played by young Alex Shaffer who was apparently recruited for the role more for his wrestling than his acting, encouraging his teammate, named Stemler. He’s a geeky kid in a need of some self-confidence, and he finds his role on the team, but not without some humor. The stirring wrestling scenes, the dramatic acting, and the hit-the-right-note comedy make Win Win a no-lose experience for the movie-goer.