An Exploration of Themes and Empirical Perspectives in "Miracle"

Sports are often utilized as a platform to bring light to events and issues that are happening within our respective societies. In 1980 (during the Cold War), the United States hockey team was able to beat the seemingly invincible Soviet Union at the Winter Olympics, sending shockwaves around the world and thus dubbed the “Miracle on Ice.” While this event was simply a game, many around the world saw it as another battle in the fight to defeating the rise of communism after World War II. The 2004 film Miracle was created to showcase coach Herb Brooks’ journey in leading the team to victory (in more ways than one) and is advertised as being based on a true story. Throughout the film, there are many different themes and empirical perspectives that are showcased. These include youth and aging, catharsis, disposition theory, and suspense and arousal. These perspectives help the viewer to understand that while sports films are often described as “surface level” films, there are underlying themes and influences that help demonstrate their place and relevancy in our society.

Youth and Aging

One theme that is showcased throughout the film is the idea of youth and aging. According to R. Glenn Cummins, many sports films focus on the “coming of age” story or focus on the transition between one part of life and another. He cites Mike Oriard and his idea that “the polarity of youth and age is sharply focused in the sports world” in addition to his argument that “this recurrent theme is the product of a culture fascinated with youth” (Cummins, 2006, 194). As stated previously, the game between the U.S. and the USSR was seen by many as another Cold War battle. There was immense pressure on the U.S. team to provide hope for a country who was fearful after the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan and the Iranian hostage crisis. The U.S. hockey team was comprised of mostly college men, a stark contrast to the older and more professional USSR team. Millions around the world praised the young men as heroes for their ability to withstand the pressure of a country who was desperate to feel a sense of power and normalcy within the world of politics. The U.S. team was characterized in the movie (and in real life) as “scrappy,” “hungry,” and “youthful,” which allowed their eventual win to feel even more important and unprecedented. One of the biggest showcases of youth and aging in the film was the transition of identity within the U.S. players. Brooks would often ask the players who they played for, and players would respond with where they were attending college. After a lackluster game leading up to the Olympics, Brooks forced the team to go through drills while consistently asking them who they played for. The team continually responded with their respective colleges, which forced Brooks to continue the drills. Brooks didn’t end the drill until Mike Eurizione said “I play for… the United States of America” (Who Do You Play For?, 2010). This moment in the film showcased a shift from an individual perspective (youth) to a team one (aged). Youth and aging is displayed in the film from various perspectives, showcasing how the film helps to provide context in our current world.

Catharsis

Catharsis is one empirical perspective that is utilized heavily during the film. According to Cummins, catharsis “rests on the notion that individuals are able to release pent-up frustrations, hostilities, and desires vicariously through viewing others” (Cummins, 2006, 198). This idea is portrayed in a multitude of ways throughout the film. Hockey itself is a very physical sport, often branded as one that “encourages” fighting amongst players. On a larger scale, the film plays on the feelings of catharsis by seeing the U.S. “battle” the USSR for victory. Viewers all around the world were able to release their frustrations and emotions with the Cold War during the game. For those who were alive in 1980, watching Miracle or clips of the event itself can reignite feelings of catharsis, as they remember what they felt in that moment over 40 years ago. Brooks was also placed in moments of catharsis within the film. As the Olympic Games drew closer and closer, Brooks needed to finalize his roster and began to feel pressured to make a decision. With the Games looming, many players began to fight with one another on and off the ice, desperate to get on the team. While these fights broke out, Brooks watched and said nothing (amid calls from his staff to break up the fights). He praised those who chose to get angry, as it showed their commitment and dedication to the team. It also provided him with more information that was needed to make his roster choices, as those who were angry were showing that they wanted the opportunity to play. By watching these fights, Brooks was able to release some of his own emotions that were blocking him from being able to make the best decision possible for the U.S. (and arguably much of the world). Miracle plays on feelings of catharsis throughout the film, helping to create more relevancy in terms of the film’s place in society.

Disposition Theory

Disposition theory is one of the most prominent empirical perspectives showcased in Miracle. Cummins states that disposition theory is when “viewers form opinions about characters depicted in fictional narratives as they process media messages. The viewer hopes for positive outcomes with whom a favorable disposition has been formed (i.e., the good guy) and negative outcomes for those with whom an unfavorable disposition has been formed (i.e., the bad guy)” (Cummins, 2006, 198). For a majority of viewers, the “good guys” are the U.S. team and its staff. The “bad guys” are the USSR players and staff. This character development is not just held within the parameters of the film-many media companies elected to create messaging in the days leading up to the “Miracle on Ice” that portrayed the U.S. team as the “good guys” and the USSR team as the “bad guys” in order to attract people to tune into the game itself. It could be argued that this messaging and portrayal extended beyond the television screen, having a more worldly implication due to the event being in the midst of the Cold War. Disposition theory can be seen in the film itself when the U.S. takes on Sweden in one of the early games of the Olympics. The U.S. is down at halftime and Brooks furiously enters the locker room, determined to get the team back on track. Brooks then goes after one of his players who is hurt, telling him to start getting into uniform. When the player protests, Brooks responds with “you know what? Put your street clothes on, because I got no time for quitters” (RyanGamingHD, 2013). The player then goes after Brooks, thus getting the entire team angry (and ready to head back out onto the ice). In this scene, Brooks took the position of being the “bad guy” in order to help his team become successful. Disposition theory is showcased throughout Miracle and helps viewers understand the implications that sports and its films have on our society.

Suspense and Arousal

Finally, suspense and arousal are heavily displayed throughout the film. Cummins, citing Noël Carroll, talks about suspense being “experienced as the viewer hopes for that desired outcome and fears an undesirable outcome” (Cummins, 2006, 199). The article then goes on to slightly question the relevancy of this theory when it comes to analyzing sports films, citing “after all, is there any doubt that the underdog basketball squad from Hickory High will beat the odds and win the state championship in Hoosiers” (Cummins, 2006, 200). While this idea is certainly understandable, suspense and arousal perspectives are able to accurately be used when describing Miracle, as it was a true story. No one could have predicted that the U.S. would win, thus creating both suspense and arousal when that idea became increasingly apparent. Suspense and arousal are most apparent during the game between the U.S. and the USSR, and those feelings become more intense as the clock runs out. Triumphant and dramatic music help to create these feelings within viewers, making them feel as though they were really there. Quick camera angles that shift from the bench, ice, and stands help to create a sense of fear and urgency, making viewers feel the desire to continue watching the movie. Once the game ends, the stands, bench, and ice erupt in euphoria-creating more feelings of arousal for the viewer. It’s a “feel-good” moment, one that makes viewers proud and patriotic (especially for those who were alive during the actual event and can recall the feelings that they had in that moment). Arousal can be also displayed in the film when Brooks gives his famous speech to the team before the game begins. Brooks exclaims, “I'm sick and tired of hearin' about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw 'em! This is your time!! Now go out there and take it” (Eidenmuller, n.d.). This speech allowed the locker room to become inspired, thus creating similar feelings for those who watch the film. The perspectives of suspense and arousal help to create meaning behind Miracle, thus aiding in its relevancy in our world.

The film Miracle showcases a plethora of empirical perspectives and themes, including youth and aging, catharsis, disposition theory, and suspense and arousal. These ideas help to create a framework in order to help viewers better understand the film’s place in society and its implications on various social, political, and cultural norms that we experience.

References

Cummins, R. G. (2006). Sports Fiction: Critical and Empirical Perspectives. In Handbook of Sports and Media. Routledge.

Eidenmuller, M. E. (n.d.). Movie Speech from Miracle - Coach Brooks Pre-Game Address to 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team Before Playing the Soviets. American Rhetoric. Retrieved December 6, 2022, from https://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/moviespeechmiracle3.html

RyanGamingHD. (2013, May 4). Miracle Scene: A Bruise On The Leg [HD]. YouTube. Retrieved December 6, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J4bEd-vYHo

Who Do You Play For? (2010, February 21). YouTube. Retrieved December 6, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEXS8TBd6ug&t=4