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"Sports Film Rule
#1: A Bad Hairdo Is
Absolutely Essential." |
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Directed by Ericson Core - Written by
Brad Gann
Starring Mark Wahlberg,
Greg Kinnear, Elizabeth
Banks, Michael Rispoli
Distributed by Walt
Disney Pictures -
2006 - 128mins - Rated R |
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Dreams are not lived on the sidelines. |
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If
you’ve seen the trailer for “Invincible,” then you have essentially
already seen the movie. The standard sports movie template is followed
on every level. It has the same structure as “Miracle” and “Remember
the Titans.” Yet, it manages to be a very easy and pleasant two hours
due to it’s cast and direction.
This is the true story of Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg), a struggling
bartender with a REALLY crappy life, who attends an open tryout for
the Philadelphia Eagles and is invited to the team’s training camp.
Yes, we know he makes it. Yes, we know there will be a point where he
seems to be a disappointment. And, of course, he will finally redeem
himself at the end when he helps win a big game.
There is nothing in “Invincible” (a bad title for this movie, by the
way) that even begins to match 2004’s “Friday Night Lights,” probably
one the best films about sports. However, director Ericson Core makes
a wise decision in his presentation that mirrors that superior film.
The Philadelphia presented here is struggling and deteriorating…the
only thing that keeps the people going is their football team. Papale
gives them a reason to be proud of their city again. This is an ideal
theme. We aren’t just watching Papale’s rise to glory, but a city
finding hope once again.
To be completely honest, there really is noting memorable in this
movie. When the credits began to roll, I instantly forgot almost
everything that I liked and disliked about it. I enjoyed myself for
it’s running time, got up and left. This is not a great movie, but
it’s definitely not a bad one.
Core’s direction is good for the material, as is the cinematography
and editing. One of the best parts of the movie is it’s era
appropriate soundtrack. There are a lot of great songs featured
(although The Who’s “Baba O’Reilly,” featured prominently in the
trailers, is nowhere to be heard) and I may just surf iTunes to see if
the soundtrack is available.
The cast is certainly likable, although there are no real standouts.
Wahlberg is fun, but we’ve seen him do work that eclipses this several
times over. The same goes for Greg Kinnear as the coach of the Eagles,
who has been so good for so long that his adequate and underwritten
role here is a definite disappointment. The supporting cast of
Papale’s friends and family is fine, but the love interest played by
Elizabeth Banks doesn’t work and feels awkwardly shoved into the
movie.
Overall, I had fun. I felt Papale’s triumph and joy. But I don’t feel
it now.
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© Written by Jacob Hall -
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