This is not a good movie, but....it has many lovely qualities. That comment supports my theory that just because a movie is bad overall, does not mean you will waste your time watching it. I take note of setting, photography, acting, and any aspects of plot that jar significant thoughts in me.
I'll go the next step...this movie is terrible, but I had a good time. I don't regret my Red Box purchase at all. It cost 4 dollars less than it would have at Blockbuster too.
Before I go any further, let me call this a cross between Peggy Sue Got Married, It's a Wonderful Life, and Dancer, Texas.
The movie takes place at the end of a high school football season in Ohio. I am not a Meteorologist, but wouldn't it be kind of cold? There is no indication of cold weather.
The main character is one of the top football quarterbacks in the state, heading for a scholarship at Ohio State University, a football powerhouse. But he is only 5'10 and one half, according to IMDb's bio. of the actor who played him. That is clear throughout the film, as he looks up, literally, to his coach and teammates. Elite quarterbacks are never that height, with the exception of Doug Flutie. They are usually between 6'2 and 6'7. So I had to try to ignore that.
The character goes back in time, but there is exactly ZERO explanation for how that happened. A 10-year-old could come up with that plot device without explanation. Just have a character fall asleep or pass out, and wake up in the past. It's like not doing your math homework, but expecting a passing grade anyways. It was too hard to think of some kind of Science Fiction explanation, so they just said, "Forget about it." The characters were around 35 in real life, while playing high school students. Perhaps it would have been wiser to have young actors play the youthful versions of our protagonists.
Almost every cliché of a film about a broke farmer and/or small town football, is exploited in this film: loan problems, crop failure,corny locker room speeches, buddies, jocks, nerds, shallow cheerleaders, you name it.
OK. Enough criticism. What I loved about the picture, was the emphasis on the unity and subtle delights of a small rural town. I also loved the fact that a couple winds up together due to happenstance, because that is true to life. Often we plan for one thing, but life happens while we are making those other plans, as the saying goes. Unlikely couples are more common than we realize.
The acting is decent. Kurt Russell's character is clichéd, but he has a few good moments, when he explains the value of a small town. The girl from the T.V. show Two and a half Men was excellent. She looked the part and pulled off the role with commitment. Christine Lahti's role was not super demanding, but she gave it some soul, and the main guy, Brian Presley, whom I have never heard of, did an adequate job, considering the fact that jocks are not known for a range of emotions.
I would have liked to see him show more emotion, but perhaps the writers and Director did not ask for that.
Overall, a film worth watching, for its' basic message of appreciation for the life and love you have, mild football action, and a quaint setting.
I'll go the next step...this movie is terrible, but I had a good time. I don't regret my Red Box purchase at all. It cost 4 dollars less than it would have at Blockbuster too.
Before I go any further, let me call this a cross between Peggy Sue Got Married, It's a Wonderful Life, and Dancer, Texas.
The movie takes place at the end of a high school football season in Ohio. I am not a Meteorologist, but wouldn't it be kind of cold? There is no indication of cold weather.
The main character is one of the top football quarterbacks in the state, heading for a scholarship at Ohio State University, a football powerhouse. But he is only 5'10 and one half, according to IMDb's bio. of the actor who played him. That is clear throughout the film, as he looks up, literally, to his coach and teammates. Elite quarterbacks are never that height, with the exception of Doug Flutie. They are usually between 6'2 and 6'7. So I had to try to ignore that.
The character goes back in time, but there is exactly ZERO explanation for how that happened. A 10-year-old could come up with that plot device without explanation. Just have a character fall asleep or pass out, and wake up in the past. It's like not doing your math homework, but expecting a passing grade anyways. It was too hard to think of some kind of Science Fiction explanation, so they just said, "Forget about it." The characters were around 35 in real life, while playing high school students. Perhaps it would have been wiser to have young actors play the youthful versions of our protagonists.
Almost every cliché of a film about a broke farmer and/or small town football, is exploited in this film: loan problems, crop failure,corny locker room speeches, buddies, jocks, nerds, shallow cheerleaders, you name it.
OK. Enough criticism. What I loved about the picture, was the emphasis on the unity and subtle delights of a small rural town. I also loved the fact that a couple winds up together due to happenstance, because that is true to life. Often we plan for one thing, but life happens while we are making those other plans, as the saying goes. Unlikely couples are more common than we realize.
The acting is decent. Kurt Russell's character is clichéd, but he has a few good moments, when he explains the value of a small town. The girl from the T.V. show Two and a half Men was excellent. She looked the part and pulled off the role with commitment. Christine Lahti's role was not super demanding, but she gave it some soul, and the main guy, Brian Presley, whom I have never heard of, did an adequate job, considering the fact that jocks are not known for a range of emotions.
I would have liked to see him show more emotion, but perhaps the writers and Director did not ask for that.
Overall, a film worth watching, for its' basic message of appreciation for the life and love you have, mild football action, and a quaint setting.