If comedy is your bag, chances are you’re a fan of Peter and Bobby Farrelly, better known as the Farrelly Brothers. The directing duo dominated the ‘90s and early 2000s with their “raucous” comedies, from the iconic Dumb and Dumber to There’s Something About Mary to Shallow Hal. Now, Bobby Farrelly returns to the helm with his first feature since 2014, Champions, a heartwarming movie about beating the odds and betting on the underdogs. The film, starring Woody Harrelson, is based on the 2018 Spanish film Campeones and is inspired by a true story, which Farrelly calls a “feel-good” film in his interview with Collider’s Steve Weintraub.
In Champions, after falling from grace, former minor-league basketball coach Marcus Marakovich (Harrelson) lands himself into even more hot water after causing a fender-bender. In court, Marcus is given community service that aligns with his expertise; the judge offers Marcus the opportunity to coach a team of adults with intellectual disabilites. Though he’s reluctant at first, Marcus develops a bond with his new team, dubbed the Friends, and with perseverance and dedication, they put in the hard work to get to the Special Olympics finals. In addition to Harrelson, the cast features Kaitlin Olson (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Cheech Marin (Up in Smoke), Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters), and a cast of new faces who play the Friends.
During his interview, Farrelly discusses which of the Farrelly Brothers’ movies changed the most during editing, which is “closest to their hearts,” Kaitlin Olson’s “beautiful performance,” and why that relationship in Champions was such a key ingredient to the movie’s story. He also talks about the importance of hiring disabled actors to portray disabled characters and the upcoming Farrelly Brother reunion with Paramount for a new Christmas comedy.
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