CityLife

GOON

Over the past year, sports headlines have focused as much on inspirational championship glories as shameful transgressions on and off the field of play.

If sport was ever beautiful, it faded just a little in 2011.

Goon is an offbeat comedy based on the incredible true story of a minor league ice hockey player who courted fame for his thuggish conduct.

Adapted from the book by Adam Frattasio and Doug Smith, Michael Dowse’s endearing film is a celebration of an underdog who found his calling by flooring his opponents.

The goon of the title refers to an enforcer, whose role is to protect his team-mates using any part of his battered body that can clatter the opposition at speed. The brawler in question is dim-witted yet lovable Doug Glatt (Seann William Scott), who works as a bouncer in Orangetown,
Massachusetts.

Away from the rink, Doug nurtures a crush on Eva (Alison Pill), who by her own admission has few morals and many sexual partners.

She is attracted to this innocent oaf, who is definitely not the sharpest blade on the ice, but she is reluctant to get involved.

Goon is a pleasant surprise: a macho comedy awash with fisticuffs that slap shots into our affections.

CityLife gives it 3/5