INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY
Come on, good job. Very well.
Are you ready?
Let's go.
Keep your head up. You trained for this.
You prepared for this moment.
That boy, can he?
Right, Mike. You remember what we were practicing, right?
Keep your feet wide apart, stay low,
if he gets his leg into the punch, throw him. All good?
- You're stronger than them. - I can do it.
Let's show everyone here,
that you can fight
Go for them.
You can do it, Mike.
Come on, Mike. Come on, Mike. C'mon C'mon.
Yes, get in there!
Very good, you can get it!
Handshake.
Ready?
Let's go!
Take it down, Mike, take it down.
Take that leg and take him down.
Come on Mike! Show some heart!
Go! Go Go. That!
- Drop, two, red. - That!
Hold it down, hold it down!
Keep it down, keep it down! Hold it.
Hey, a blue one.
- Well well. Chest up. - Chest up.
Look at those legs, watch out for her legs!
Shot down, two, blue.
Derríbalo, Mike.
- Come on, Mike! - Come on, Mike, come on, Mike!
Get up, get up.
- Get up, get up. - Fight fight.
- Very well. - Hey, one, red.
Get those hands off me.
He's fine. Just watch.
¿Mike?
¡Mike!
Hey, are you okay?
Doug.
Raise your right arm.
- Dude, it's broken. Yes. - We have to take him to the doctor now.
Come on Mike. We will help you.
Let's go.
You did a good job, Mike. I'm proud Mike.
Come on, Mike.
All good. All good.
You'll make it next time, Mike.
TEN YEARS LATER
Open your hands.
Keep your left hand open.
You are closing!
- Faster! - No, slowly. This is not a race.
Hey, open your hands, open those hands.
Open them. Straight back.
Come on man, come on.
- Dammit! - Do you want to give up?
- So you want to give up? - No!
- Let's go! Go! - Yes!
- Let's stay in our positions. - Yes.
- Waiting. - Wait, wait, yeah.
Get off me, man!
Well, we're done.
I just wanted to thank you
for your help, TJ.
Of course no problem.
Take care, man.
Keep it up. mike the mighty
Hey, don't disappear, will you?
I will find you.
- He never jokes, Mike. - Hears.
- How's your ankle? - Better.
It should be back on the beam in a couple of weeks.
Excellent. Be careful.
Gravity sucks.
Very good, good job.
Okay that's cool.
Excellent!
Use your legs, your feet on the pedal.
Pedal!
That! Good job, straight ahead.
You are on your own.
- You are well? - Shit!
Watch your mouth.
- Don't you want to stop? - You have bruises on top of bruises.
Do you want to try the wheels again?
- It's fine. - No, no, stable.
Very good, you have nice teeth, don't lose them.
All right, now you go alone.
Some things, physically, you cannot do.
You have to use the wheels, let's get back to them, okay?
One more time.
- Certain! - One more time.
You got it!
That!
REGISTRATION DAY
Following.
These are for regular classes for seniors.
You need to see Mrs. Freud.
Over there.
There.
I am a final year student.
And these are higher level courses,
nothing special.
Truth.
Come with me.
LAST YEAR
Mrs. Freud, this is Michael.
He is from the last year.
Last year. Good for you Michael.
I think you need help with your schedule.
I am very happy to have you with us.
¿Michael?
A student is here to see you.
Okay, I have a few minutes.
you can pass
Hi, I'm Michael Connelley.
I'm James Tyler, sit down.
You're new here, right?
Yeah, I just moved here from Kansas.
Have you registered?
I'm trying.
School counselors don't want to record my schedule.
They want to put me in special education.
show me
Algebra two, biology, English, weightlifting.
Weightlifting?
Do you know that you can be excused from physical education classes?
Cerebral palsy, right?
And.
I chose weightlifting for wrestling.
Wrestling?
- Can you fight? - Yes.
I used to
anyway, can you help me with this?
I think it's a good program, challenging.
Are you sure you can handle all this and try to fight?
I like challenges from time to time.
Take this back to the counselor.
And she will register you.
Don't underestimate me.
See you in class.
WEIGHT LIFTING ROOM
- Waiting. - That!
One two Three.
Thanks, man, I owe you one.
I am Mike.
Are you high or something?
No man.
I am so sorry. I am Jeff.
Hey, you really helped me out on that last rep.
- Thanks. - What were you, trying to do?
kill yourself?
What?
Trying to kill yourself?
No, I'm trying to lose weight for wrestling.
you know you can't
fight from below.
under what?
Underground.
We have a joker here.
I make people laugh from time to time.
I bet yes.
You're lost?
No, I'm going to lift weights.
Are you trying to gain mass?
Training, for wrestling.
Is seriously?
Wrestling?
Have you ever fought?
A little, in third grade.
I just suck.
But this is my last year
so i decided to do it.
I am looking for a scholarship.
That's how I'm going to college.
- Good luck! - Okay.
And you too.
It's just staying on the ground.
You could get another warning against Deely Mount.
You can win the fight.
Time flies.
We need more action if we want to win this fight.
It's behind him.
One point for Steve Frazer.
The fight is tied.
The time is finishing.
What a feat for Steve Frazer,
- It's a gold medal. - That.
So what's your first class?
It's... Weightlifting.
Weightlifting?
- Is that a class? - Yes.
Really?
Is weightlifting a class?
Bye.
Get a good workout, Arnold.
This is the geek.
What's wrong with that boy?
What is he, a cripple?
What's wrong with your foot?
All right, everyone, join in.
Hi, I'm Coach Warren.
Come on, everyone gathered.
Welcome to physical education.
Now, if any of you signed up for this course, because,
they thought this would get them out of the first period calculus course.
Think again.
If any of you took this course thinking you will leave
to be skinny and cowardly and get out of here like an adonis.
Think again.
Weight lifting is a great way
to build a fit body.
But, only if it is done correctly.
And if it is done here, it will be done correctly,
Without exceptions.
Was it understood?
Yes, coach.
Now you have three minutes
to change and meet me at the gym.
Now! Let's go! Let's go!
Since they have decided that they are with a lot of energy.
I thought it was time for a little test
improvised resistance.
This is to separate the weak from the strong.
Follow me, let's go up each step.
Legs up! Climb all the steps!
Going up...
Twisting, knees up and down.
They go all the way around.
If they fall to the ground.
They get up again.
They continue through here, and they go down.
Pushups.
Twenty five pushups.
Hurry up!
I want twenty five.
I know they can. I know they can.
Come on, come on, come on, legs up.
Carter, let's turn around.
What are they doing?
Sitting around, playing Atari, watching MTV?
I want my MTV.
Yeah, well, you'll get a chance to watch MTV after three more laps.
Since all your friends like to laugh with you, they will laugh together.
wrestling competitions
are about to start.
And they know that Hillsborough only accepts the best of the best.
Go ahead guys.
Three more, three more, that's resistance.
They are young.
Listen
if you can't climb the stairs,
you can run around the perimeter of...
I can.
Yes I can.
All right, come on, keep moving.
Knees up, knees up.
Take one, pass back the rest.
Take one and pass the rest.
Take one Michael, pass the rest.
Welcome to world literature.
I'm Mrs. Payne.
Spell PAYNE.
In the first nine weeks, we will study the craft of poets,
like Frost,
Whitman
and Wordsworth, among others.
And at the end of this session, they will compose their own poem.
And they will read it aloud.
Once finished they will discover that they can appreciate,
even love poetry.
Open your books in Wordsworth.
The world is too much for us.
Using the index can help.
And that's why he can't sit with us at lunch.
And she knew about Patrick, my boyfriend, but she left a
note in his locker, because he knew he would find it.
Of course she liked it and we broke up,
But whatever, you know, I like Trevor.
I have tried for a long time...
What's your problem?
I am not sure.
He's in my English class.
- Excuse. - Look where you're going!
- Excuse. - I think he likes you.
Keep it real.
He has a nice butt.
I'm serious. He is cute.
Okay, stop.
A combination of two substances,
not always necessarily means
an increase in mass.
The main part of that is the proportions.
then let's start
with a part of sodium bicarbonate.
Add a third...
This is a cookie.
This is an integer,
truth?
How many left?
Of the.
Two that?
Come on, use that big brain of yours.
All right, let's try again.
This is a cookie.
An integer.
It's true?
What's that?
One third.
And.
Your brain is as capable as anyone else's.
Let's train that.
Did you understand?
I believe.
This gas emission
causes mass loss.
When you combine two substances like baking soda...
Do you go to the disabled bus?
I didn't want to sit in your place.
Don't touch me, idiot.
Oh don't touch me idiot.
What are you going to do about it, retard?
¡Detente!
Do not touch me.
What the hell are you doing?
You're an Idiot?
I am, Jeff.
It's none of your business.
See you on the mat later.
Mike.
¿Mike?
I'm sorry about Troy.
He is an idiot.
Leave me alone.
I'm good.
You want to know? I have A IDEA.
Friend.
Let's go.
And why are we here?
Preparing for the playoffs.
Get on the treadmill.
Mike, get on the tape, let's go.
Take off your backpack.
Okay, I'll start slowly.
Keep going.
Speeding up.
Come on, Mike.
Keep it up Mike. Let's go. You got it.
No I can not.
You said you wanted to do this.
Mike, I'm not going to stand by and watch Troy do that shit with you.
You have to defend yourself, you're going to need more training.
Do you want to fight or not?
Mike, do you want to fight or not?
I want to fight.
It's fine. I don't know why, but I believe in you.
You just need more training.
Okay, do you like aerobics?
Left Right. Left, right, turn.
My other side, now come on.
All together, walk together. Let's go.
Take a step together, take a step together.
That, continue.
Together, together, let's go, to the left, to the left.
On the right.
Two, three, push, left.
Three, push, to the right.
- Mike, put on those pants. - Keep going.
Right.
All right, one more. One more.
Latest.
Remember that the ball is energy keep it moving.
Don't let it stop.
Come on, Mike.
If you're going to lift the weight, you have to control it,
if you don't control it the way it's controlling you.
Stop, let's cut the weight, let's get it down.
Let's take half of that.
We're going to put it at fifty.
Ready.
It's not about how much you can lift.
It's how well you can lift what you're lifting.
Your power, comes from control, do you understand?
Yes, coach.
It's OK, go ahead.
And the shape is what the muscles respond to.
Control it.
No matter,
lifting a lot of weights trying to impress all these guys here.
I don't care if you lift five hundred pounds or one hundred and fifty.
But your body grows
when you lift it correctly.
It's enough.
It was good. Let's try your legs.
Go ahead, put your back on the ground, legs up.
Keep them at shoulder level.
Push and when you're ready
Release the brakes and all the weight you have, take it to your chest
three times.
Calm and in control.
Don't stretch your legs.
That's it, third time, come on.
Good.
You have strong legs.
I'll put another 40 kilos.
So that such?
Another 40 kilos.
Remember, it's about control.
Three times.
When are the wrestling qualifiers?
In about a week or so.
You will see?
I'm going to prove myself.
Mike...
Wrestling is a very, very serious sport.
Requires a lot of agility
athletic ability and control.
But do you know what would be a sport that I think you would be great at?
Bowling.
I will play when I retire. I can show that I can fight.
Mike, I'm serious, man.
It's very dangerous.
Just give me a chance.
An opportunity?
It's fine. Hey, bring me another 40 kilos here.
Mike wants to join the wrestling team.
- Let's give him a chance. - No man.
Let's give him a stack of eight.
Four on each side, do it three times
and you can try to join the wrestling team.
Don't start something you can't finish.
Just look.
This will be fun.
Pathetic.
There is no way.
It doesn't have how.
You've seen?
Okay, okay, we'll help you.
Mike, it's okay.
Certain!
All good,
It was good, Mike.
This is a classroom each of these machines is a book,
start studying!
Do you want to try something else?
Let's see what other superpowers you have, come on.
Hey, what are you doing? No!
- No. - Hey!
- No, let's get back to work. - Waiting.
We have four days left.
I think they want to talk to me.
- No. To the field. - Let's go.
- Ready? - Yes.
You can't let him throw you around like a rag doll.
- I understood. - Let's do it again.
It's fine.
You can let me go now.
It's not good to train with you, Mike.
You know, I already joined the team, I know.
I am a little...
I don't know, I'm a little anxious.
You're,
- You are nervous? - Yes.
If I don't impress the college scouts this season,
I will not go to university.
It will probably end...
I don't know, in my father's workshop, helping him for the rest of my life.
Then yes,
I'm very nervous.
Hello.
My God, this class sometimes gets so boring.
But, I love Mrs. Payne,
- She's a mess. - Yes.
She's great.
- I think. - Yes.
Well, I'd better go.
Where do you normally have lunch?
In the cafeteria, usually.
In the cafeteria!
You are braver than me.
If something moves, don't eat it.
Thanks for the survival tip.
It's fine.
Bye.
Hazlo Troy.
- Ready to be immobilized, retarded? - Play fair, Cooper.
You already have it.
The goal is to stay on the mat.
Looks like someone has some power.
You got it, man.
Come on, drop it.
Immobilize him, come on.
Beating you doesn't count.
Enough is enough, Cooper.
Nice try, Mike. Come on man.
Come on, get up.
Alright guys, as you know
there is only room for three seats
more on this team.
And they will be occupied by.
Ortega, congratulations.
You are part of the wrestling team.
Lee, you got it.
And Cooper.
But you're an idiot, so we'll improve your attitude.
For the rest of you.
There will always be a next year.
Exercise and get ready.
Mike, I'd like to talk to you for a second.
Look, there's always room for
the team manager. Would you like to be part of this?
No.
No thanks.
All good.
Hello.
Hi Pat.
Pat...
Patty...
"Patty."
Hi Patty. We...
Would you like to go to the...
but ... who?
¿Mike?
Mike, are you okay?
I don't want to be like that anymore.
Look, I know it's frustrating.
¡No!
You do not know!
You are not like me.
I know.
But feeling sorry for yourself won't change anything.
You know it.
I'm trying not to feel.
What happened?
Did you get angry because you couldn't do something?
did i guess?
You're not alone.
We can't always have or do what we want, Mike.
I was trying to prove something.
Prove that?
I tried to get on the wrestling team and I...
I couldn't and I...
I was fooling myself again.
We've alredy talk about that.
Father...
I just want to show that I can do it.
You are on your way to prove your worth.
You can beat anyone with that mind of yours.
Test it.
All good? Try it for yourself.
Show me, okay?
Come on, they're training this Half Nelson maneuver for half an hour.
and they are still halfway.
They have to think about the purpose behind it.
Get the motivation out of it.
What are you trying to achieve.
Mike. What happened to you this morning? I felt your lack.
Driving test.
Are you going to scare someone to death?
No, that's next week.
Coach, do you still need help?
Yes because?
You can't beat them, join them.
That's really kind of you.
It is a huge responsibility
help with training and keep stock up to date.
Can you control it?
And.
I'm proud of you!
Guys, relax.
Mike...
Get closer.
Mike decided to be our new team manager.
Applause.
Let's go.
But, there is an initiation for whoever agrees to be a team leader.
You have the opportunity to be the demonstration and I the demonstrator.
We've been training this one, Half Nelson,
but there is a purpose behind it.
We block a rear leg hand.
One two Three.
now i have it here
Get up,
round,
and immobilize it.
- You are well? - Yes.
What does the rug taste like, Mike?
A little salty.
Come on, you're next.
Attention.
Remember you're trying to rebuild,
the connection between
how the brain communicates with the body
The curve of your foot touches the line
each step is like a vortex.
Vortex out.
For inside.
No, no, no, no, no, no, don't be ashamed.
Do not be ashamed. It's not about them.
You are not trying to impress them.
You are not trying to impress anyone.
- It's about you now. - Yes.
Attention.
You're doing it for yourself, you're not acting.
Start again.
How did this happen to you?
About cerebral palsy.
The...
the umbilical cord
it wrapped around my throat.
My mother was in labor for a long time.
The elbow in the vortex.
Remember, it spins with the vortex.
Lack of oxygen,
for the brain.
That's what happened.
Will it get worse?
It is not a disease.
Upgrade to,
with time and exercises.
Keep going.
Centrifugal, out.
Centripetal, inside.
hold out your hands
and spin.
I understand what you've been through. It's hard.
I went...
I've been...
Once I was, like you.
As strange as it seems.
were you a geek?
Nerd...
You have to be smart to be a geek.
But I was
a boy trying out for the soccer team,
I thought how would I go
romantically,
socially?
But I had asthma, you know?
My lungs burned.
So I ended up humiliated.
Yeah, we can't always win.
Unfortunately, we can't.
But you won the best race.
The race for life.
Now, you have an additional challenge, which is,
that cord wrapped around your neck.
I want you to get rid of that cord now.
I want you to go back and free yourself from that cord.
Release the vortex.
Spin out.
Come on Jeff.
Let's go.
Come on Jeff. No, reach out, stand tall.
Hey, John, take this guy down, come on.
You have to immobilize this guy.
Mike, where the hell is Johnson?
I did not see it.
We cannot afford an absence.
Hey, coach. Trainer.
I can fight.
Mike, I know you can fight, but you can't fight this guy.
No, no, I need your help now.
Fine, then put me on.
You are playing with me?
Will you let the retard fight?
It is the same as giving up.
- Do you really want to get on that mat? - Yes.
Get ready and weigh yourself.
If you get hurt, it's your butt.
I understand.
Let's go.
We need this victory.
Come on Jeff. Come on man.
That! You can.
That!
Very good, Jeff.
Friend!
That guy, he's some kind of beast.
Keep your balance and keep your legs open.
And.
- And stay focused on him. - You can do it.
Don't let him manipulate you.
- Don't forget to use your legs. - Yes.
I hope you win. It is so cool.
I also.
Good luck Mike.
Is seriously?
I'll try not to hurt you, cripple.
Okay, call him.
- You are well? - Yes.
red winner.
Come on, Mike.
- Are you okay, Mike? - Yes.
- Good job, are you okay? - Yes.
Okay, relax, have some water.
- All good. - Come and sit.
You know, you really were, Mike.
It was incredible. I can't believe I was on the mat.
Wait until next time.
Until then, it's so...
there's so much energy, and it's like...
- Hello. - Hello.
Hi Dad, this is Jeff.
Hi Jeff, nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you, Mr. Connelley.
Dude, you should have seen Mike fight today.
- To struggle? - Yes.
Jeff, he's a fighter. I was fighting.
You too.
Just one fight for now, but who knows.
So are you fighting?
Yes or no?
- So so. - So so?
Substitutes don't fight
if they do, then...
Why didn't you talk about this with me?
Cause I already know how you feel about this
and what sense would it make?
I don't know why your father is so against it.
This will do you good.
I won't give up this time.
Good luck telling him that.
But tell him when I'm not here.
I think he'll change his mind.
I hope.
So why do you want to fight so much?
Me...
I like the challenge.
Just to be included.
That I am no different from you.
I only care about proving my value to college recruiters.
For my scholarship.
I just want to show my dad,
to all, that I can do this.
Oh my God.
- Is that a diary? - No.
It is not a diary.
Patty McGrath, ¿eh?
I know her.
I've known her since we were kids.
How did you get his number? But...
- She gave it to me. - It's fine.
And I am Don Johnson.
What are you doing?
Hey, stop, I won't read it, I just need his number.
Do not be shy.
Come on, make me talk to her.
You guys?
Hello, is Patty there?
Patty McGrath.
This is Mike Connelley from school.
No sir.
I'm not drunk.
Wait, what's the number?
- Hey, hey... - Mike, Mike.
It's Alcoholics Anonymous.
You're so funny, man.
- Very funny. - Let's go.
Mike, do you honestly think Patty McGrath, do you like her?
What makes you think, that she would choose,
a shallow athlete?
I'm sorry, I'm just trying to be your friend.
I don't want to see you devastated, Mike.
You are a good guy.
I think you deserve someone who can be a little more
Similar to you.
I'm interested Patty.
And I think she sees me differently than everyone else.
It sounds.
Dream until your dreams come true.
Dammit. Hey, I have to go.
Tomorrow I have a stupid Spanish test.
Good luck.
Yes, I hope you are prepared for a tough week of training.
I was born ready.
You don't hate me.
Why?
I forgot and told Dustin that I was going to have lunch with him today.
- Really. - Yes.
- Not well. - Sorry.
- No, I really don't want to. - Everything is alright.
I promise you it won't happen...
Yes, don't worry about it.
Let's go.
Bye.
- Hello. - Hello.
Patty.
My God, can you believe we're having a poetry quiz?
I mean, that really sucks.
No, it won't be that hard.
Yes, of course, I'd like to have your brain for this test.
You'll do fine.
Going to lunch?
Yes, I think I'll have something to eat at home, because,
Jade, she dumped me for her boyfriend of the week.
Good...
I'm...
I'm free for lunch if...
You don't want to take chances with things in the cafeteria today?
Come, can I take you to my favorite place if you want?
- Yes, that's fine.
Maybe you can come see me wrestle one day.
It's so violent.
It's not for me.
All good.
- Coach, Warren? - Yes.
- How can I help you? - I'm Mike Connelly's father.
Mike, he's one of my students,
brighter.
indomitable spirit.
You must be very proud of him.
Yes, it has come a long way.
Pull up a chair.
I was having lunch.
- So how are Mike's grades? - Good.
As long as you're focused, on your classes and not on this
wrestling thing.
Mr. Connelly, the extracurricular activities are,
more than just, something that physically releases the body,
is to give you the opportunity to interact
- with your teammates. - Trainer.
I want the best for my son with all my heart,
but physically he is deficient.
Are you worried about getting hurt?
When I was nine years old,
he broke his collarbone in a wrestling competition.
He's doing this, rebelling, to prove me wrong.
I just want her to graduate.
So you can find your way in the real world.
As his teacher I want him to graduate
and find your way in this world, but
he needs to understand that, now, his biggest obstacle is himself.
And you, as a parent, should know that.
Like his father.
I understand better than anyone what Mike needs.
Mike, you don't see disability
like an obstacle.
I think he is stronger because of it.
And if you can take that energy, harness it and direct it towards yourself,
Instead of seeking the approval of everyone around you,
Can you imagine what that young man could achieve?
I just don't want him to get hurt again.
It is not your body.
- It's his heart. - Whatever God planned for Mike,
Only God knows.
When I saw that boy walk in here.
I thought I had a disability, which I had to take care of.
But it didn't take long.
To prove me wrong.
You have to consider, Mr. Connelly, what this
means to Mike.
if you take this away
You will take away what matters most to you.
It's fine. It depends on you.
But if his grades start slipping, I'll pull him out.
Let's go. My grandmother can do more than you and she has an arm.
Almost two. Not bad for a beginner.
- Guess what. - What?
Patty and I have lunch today.
Really?
And.
As was?
Great, I think.
I really like her.
She is smart, sweet.
Are you going to ask her out?
I am considering it.
Good luck, Don Juan.
So what comes next?
Waiting!
I can't move that fast.
Hand over hand.
You can do it, use your legs.
- I'm working in it! - You will get it!
¡Jeff!
Jeff, Jeff, don't move.
You are well? Do not move. Jeff!
¡Socorro!
Come on Jeff.
¡Socorro!
Jeff, are you awake?
What are you doing here?
I came to see how you were.
If I can not
feel my legs
I'm trying to move them now.
And I can't feel them.
The doctor said it's a back injury.
Is seriously?
He says that with physical therapy I can get back to normal, but he says that.
I will not fight.
Dammit!
I might as well say goodbye to college.
Us,
We can, we can fix this.
We can fix this.
I don't want to have a disability like you.
If you need from
something.
I am here to help you.
Certain?
THREE MONTHS LATER
One step.
Good.
Know?
My grandmother can beat you
and she has one leg.
- Get up. - I'm trying.
You are trying too hard.
You need to use your mind.
- Not your muscles. - Certain.
First,
we have to go back to basics and retrain that brain.
It's fine.
It's hard.
Now your knee your left.
Force.
Come on, move this.
- Push! - I can not.
Come on, push!
- I can not. - Use the right!
You are going to get it!
I can not do this.
Let me be.
be what? A cripple?
Dammit!
He's fine.
Look, if you don't fight now.
You will fight this all your life.
Do you want to give up your scholarship?
Is that what you want?
Surrender.
Let go.
We walk barefoot on the beach
holding hands in the sun
No matter where we'd go
As the sun pours its blessing in the sky
our problems are gone
And disappear with the tide
A beautiful poem, Patty.
Very romantic.
Mike, your turn.
It's about a good friend of mine who's hurt.
The title ...
Of Broken Wings.
Like a bird with broken wings
You must make an effort
A challenge of will
a test of power
to reach
the light of the stars
And if you find your way
There will be hope for a brighter day
For the truly wise
the smart listen
Your mind
But follow your heart
Hey, good job.
- Hello, McGrath Residence. - Hello.
Is Patty at home?
Thanks for picking me up and bringing me back.
Thanks for fun.
Me...
Hey Mike, relax.
Can I call you sometime?
And.
Yes of course!
As long as you understand that we are just friends.
You know, I don't want to cheat on you or anything.
- All good? - If I...
I understand. I...
It's fine.
I also had fun.
Maybe we can play shuffleboard again one day.
And.
I'd love to.
- Hey, Mike? - Yes?
Have a good night.
You too.
You feel good?
Easy and simple work.
Okay, let's go.
Let's go.
- You beat him here. - Yes.
Use your height against him.
Come on, Mike.
Let's go.
Mike, stay down!
All good.
Ends.
Defense, defense, defense, defense, defense, defense.
It was enough.
Great effort.
Let's go.
Sit down. A towel, please.
Good job, Mike.
First you take out Jeff, and now you lose to the worst of them.
The fight is over for you, Mike.
Why?
Because I say? That's why.
I will not resign.
You are not a fighter.
Let me be the judge of that.
Do you like to be humiliated? Is that?
You are the only one who is ashamed of me!
Why didn't you do that in your fight?
It's a good hit.
Can I finish the season?
Your future is in your notes.
I want to see if I can do this.
I just, I want to believe in myself. I...
How long is the season?
Six weeks.
Six weeks?
You have six weeks.
If your grades drop, you're out.
I am your father.
I just want you to be successful.
Do you want to fight or not?
I want to fight.
Unroll this cord.
Yes! I crawled for three years before I could walk.
Let's go.
I will not accept less than
- hundred percent. - Yes, coach!
Your tendons are very tight today.
You better try to relax.
Let's take a deep breath, that.
have you ever fought
at school?
Yes, I do.
Did you win any fights?
And.
I win.
I want so much to win a fight.
Stay straight.
as your coach,
I want each of you to win
each fight and finish all opponents.
But as a human
if you win all the fights you participate in
and yet in the end you don't like yourself, what is the purpose?
- I do not know. - It's useless, right?
It's about liking you.
And the only way you can please yourself
It's when you do your best.
So you have no regrets and you don't need an apology.
Do your best.
All right, guys. Line up.
Stay here.
As everybody know,
our last fight of the year is coming up,
and this next competitor is a monster.
Then we'll need the best
of each of you. But I have a question.
do you remember
to the last
person who was immobilized, by a Mustang, in this school?
Someone?
Do you remember anyone who has ever been pinned down by Mustangs?
Exactly.
They were forgotten.
Now the question for you is.
Do you want to be forgotten with yesterday's losers?
Or remembered for winning today?
Because I can give them positive reinforcement,
a silly speech, about how you guys can be better than everyone else,
but the reality is,
some of you did better than others.
That is the plain and simple truth.
And some of you surprised me.
And they know who they are.
I will wait one hundred percent.
From each of you, or you'll be out of this team.
It is understood?
- Yes sir! - Yes sir!
Ok, one last thing, we need a volunteer.
to take Jeff's place.
We need someone around 77 kilos.
I'm coming.
Ortega, how much do you have?
Coach, I'm only 65.
Well, we need 77.
Someone else?
I'm 80, coach.
I am 76.
What the hell have you been eating?
Of everything.
As well.
Looks like we're going to have a fight between
Troy y Connelly.
Who immobilizes the other.
He takes Jeff's place and goes to the fight.
I was waiting for this.
You will go to the ground very fast.
Come on Mike. You can.
Mike, you can do it!
Troy, come on.
Cállalo, Mike.
Come on, Mike.
- Catch him, Mike. - Come on, Troy.
Mind your head! Watch out for the header!
Let's go!
Huye.
Let's go! That's right Mike!
We will! Take it.
Tomalo!
We will! We will! We will! We will!
It's okay Mike! That's right, Mike.
That's right, Mike.
Troy, come on, man.
Beautiful.
What does this mat taste like?
Good job, young man.
We have a fighter.
- Yes, Mike! - That's man.
Congratulations Mike.
great man
Hears! Sleeping Beauty!
Get up, it's already dawn.
Vete.
Five minutes, meet me in the garage.
I have something for you.
Five minutes, get up!
Let's go!
You like me?
It's great for a trike.
I don't think you need to wear a helmet.
So prepare yourself.
So that?
wrestling training.
Is seriously?
I think we'll start over.
OKAY! I'll get dressed!
I'll walk you to the top of the hill.
- To the top of the hill? - That!
- I beat you. - Yes.
I owe you an apology.
Why?
For slapping you the other day.
I never should have done that.
More than that.
I never should have stopped believing in you.
I saw you win.
You saw it?
Yes.
There you.
I'm proud of you.
Thanks Dad.
You can.
If you can.
Let's go.
Same thing.
One more.
You've seen?
I'm walking! Dammit.
¡Mike!
Congratulations Jeff.
- I knew you could. - Thanks.
- Yeah, TJ, yeah. - Mike.
Hey, would you like to work here part time?
Really?
He's the right guy for the job. It's Miracle Mike .
Miraculous Mike .
Me...
I do not know what to say. I...
Why don't you say yes?
Yes! Yes! Yes.
Let's go!
Are you going to eat that, man?
That's right, Jeff.
Are you ready?
That's it, I'm ready.
It's funny that wrestling can
teach you so many lessons about
who you are, and about life and stuff.
Because there are so many strengths,
so many necessary gifts, that you have to master
To succeed in life.
That's why faculty
and I agreed to present an award,
totally new, for a student,
very special, who showed us
with his strength, character and tenacity,
Against all odds we can become better people.
inspired us all
but especially it inspired me to become a better person.
We are awarding you the first prize,
for team spirit, at Hillsborough High.
Michael Connelly, please come up and accept it.
That's right, Mike. Congratulations.
Thanks, coach.
Not thanks to you.
Never,
never underestimate yourself.
You can feel isolated and different,
but use that difference as a talent.
Make it your Superpower.
Never judge another person for what he or she
can't do.
'Cause what they can do
man, what they can do, can blow their heads off.
STUDENT MERIT AWARD 1985
¡Mike! ¡Mike! ¡Mike!
- You want to dance? - Yes.
Excuse me.
Can I interrupt?
Yes.
Clear.
Dance very well.
Thank you.
You, you too.
We should watch a movie one day.
I'd love to.
DAY OF THE END OF THE FIGHT
ACADEMIA LANGHORNE
seems
Hi Jeff.
The coach needs you.
Okay, just give me a second. I will finish this.
The first time I saw you.
You could barely make one.
Mike, you really worked hard to gain weight.
You really want to win a fight, don't you?
Yes.
More than anything.
I'll tell the coach, to put you in my place.
It's your last chance.
Would you do that for me?
You are my friend, Mike. Sure!
If you had
any idea how much you helped me get back on the mat, you'd understand.
We are going now.
I know you can do it.
I'll tell the coach.
You know, it's not about winning or losing.
You are inside.
And like everyone else,
nothing else matters.
Win within you.
¡Mike!
Hey, you have an extra challenge because,
that cord is wrapped around your neck.
I believe in you.
I want you to get rid of that cord.
Green, ready?
Let's go! Red, ready?
Get ready guys.
Come on, Mike!
¡Ve, Mike!
Come on, Mike, come on.
Fight!
Red here.
Come on, Mike, come on.
Red here.
Watch out for sportsmanship.
Come on, Mike!
- Two dots, red. - No...
That!
A green dot. Let's go.
Two red dots, continue.
Terminal.
That.
A green dot.
Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike.
You can.
Two green dots.
Come on, you can do it.
A red dot, escape.
Come on, immobilize him.
Two red dots.
A green dot, escape.
Did you push me?
Give up!
Rindete, idiot.
- You wish. - None of that, stop.
In position. Let's go.
Fight.
Green, are you okay?
- You are well? - Yes.
Green, come on.
Green. There.
Red. There.
Ready green?
Ready, red?
I will finish you.
You can try.
Attention.
Let's go.
Stay on the ground.
No.
- Stay on the ground! - No.
Come on, stop.
Ready.
Enough, enough!
Give up.
Never!
Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike.
THIS FILM IS DEDICATED TO INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
PEOPLE AFFECTED BY CEREBRAL PALSY AND A UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY
FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO OVERCOME THIS CONDITION.
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