 "Photo: Richard Drew")
"Semi-Pro" doesn't have the sheer lunacy that made "Anchorman" special to so many people, nor does it share the superior depth of characterization and story in "Talladega Nights." It is, however, better than the underrated "Blades of Glory," and, in telling a story about the '70s merger between the American Basketball Association and the NBA, sheds light on an important, overlooked piece of recent sports history.
Will Ferrell plays Jackie Moon, a one-time "pop sensation" (his term) who now acts as the owner/player/coach of the underachieving, hilariously ragtag Flint Tropics. The Tropics face liquidation if they can't convince the ABA commissioner (David Koechner, playing it straight for once) to make the team one of the four to be absorbed by the NBA. To increase the number of fans and wins, Moon trades for Ed Monix (Woody Harrelson), a one-time NBA player who won a championship riding the bench for the Boston Celtics. The fact that he didn't play in any of the championship games is a source of embarrassment for Monix, which doesn't stop Clarence Black (Andre Benjamin), the one talented player on the Tropics, from constantly needling him about it.
While the movie is clearly Ferrell's show, it's Harrelson who steals the movie. Harrelson has been quietly putting together an impressive string of movies and performances ("North Country," "A Prairie Home Companion," "No Country for Old Men"), and here he's the heart of the piece. He wrings real heart out of Monix's washed-up career and his remorse over the loss of his wife Lynn (Maura Tierney, in a thankless role). The romantic scenes with Harrelson and Tierney could have slowed the pace of the film, but there is legitimate chemistry between the two actors, and what should've been a weakness turns into a strong point.
The rest of the supporting cast also delivers solid work. Benjamin is convincing as the sharp-shooting hotshot, while great performances from Andy Richter, Will Arnett and Jackie Earle Haley are very funny.
"Semi-Pro" isn't a great comedy; its story is too predictable, and the profanity at times comes off as forced. But complaints are more than outweighed by the film's comedy. The best scenes in "Semi-Pro" have a naturalness and cleverness to them that shows why Will Ferrell is arguably America's top comedian.
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