Watchdog

Kicking It, 98 minutes.

The "Homeless World Cup?" At first, it sounds like some sort of parody, or an idea for a "Saturday Night Live" skit.

But it's a real event, held in South Africa the year this film chronicles the action.

The idea is to save lost or almost lost souls with problems that include alcoholism and drug abuse through the magic of soccer, in this case the "street soccer" version with four players per side.

Mel Young, the competition's founder, acknowledges some will think it's a "crazy idea," but he knows it works.

The American team struggles badly with anger issues, and the Spanish team struggles gamely despite a lack of talent and one player who is 62 years old.

In one poignant scene, the Kenyan team is happy to be housed in a large, open room in which players sleep on the floor. They consider it a palace for one reason above all others:

No mosquitoes.