The Win Win Trailer: An Unapologetic Winner

When Win Win premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last month, some people walked away from the film comparing it to The Blind Side, which seemed odd considering the cast (Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Jeffrey Tambor) and director (Tom McCarthy). Yet if the first trailer for the spring release is any indication, those surface comparisons are certainly warranted.

Giamatti stars as Mike, a down-on-his-luck lawyer who decides to coach high school wrestling in an attempt to get the spark back in his life. (The lovely Ryan plays Giamatti's put-upon on-screen wife.) It's a ragtag group, until Mike happens upon Kyle Timmons (Alex Shaffer) and even more down-on-his-luck teenager who has run away from his mother. Long story shorter: Mike takes Kyle in; Kyle is a great wrestler and saves the team, while getting close with Mike's family; complications arise that might break the new familial relationship apart just before the big match. So, yeah, The Blind Side. At least in this trailer.

And yet! Was The Blind Side really bad? Because to this cynic's eyes, it was a thoroughly heartwarming sports genre film that hit all the right beats with expert marksmanship. If Win Win accomplishes that, but with the gentle human touch that McCarthy brought to both The Station Agent and The Visitor, then -- to mix sports metaphors -- it will be a slam dunk.

VERDICT: Sold!

If the trailer gets yanked down, head over to Apple to watch.