invincible2006

THE SYNOPSIS

Philadelphia, 1976. The Vietnam War was over; Watergate has happened and the nation is in the grips of a recession and oil crisis. For the NFL’s underperforming Philadephia Eagles it is the start of another season. Only this time, their new head coach Dick Vermeil (Kinnear) will infuse some life into the dying franchise.

Meet amiable substitute teacher and Eagles fan Vincent Papale (Wahlberg). Losing his job (cutbacks) and his mean wife (desertion), Vincent is on the skids. He gets some help from his stoic father (Conway) and a night job bartendering the local watering hole owned by his buddy Max (Rispoli). When not playing football with his buddies, Vince and company are at the Eagles’ stadium, cheering them on.

When Vermeil suddenly announces that the Eagles will host an open tryout session, every wannabe dude this side of the Liberty Bell shows up--including Vincent. Although 30-years old and a non-pro player, what’s he got to lose...right?

Lo and behold, Vincent uses his natural prowess and football skills to impress Vermeil and his coaching staff. Enough so to be invited to Eagles practice where Vincent eventually shows his mettle and subsequently makes it onto the team. Off the gridiron, he finds time to meet and fall in love with Max’s pretty cousin Janet (Banks)--who just happens to be a NY Giants fan! (Go BIG BLUE!!!!)

Through hard work and plenty of hits, Vincent earns the respect of his coach, his team and Philadelphia and becomes a good player for several years. He also marries his Giants fan sweetheart!

THE CRITIQUE

Wanna see a guy cry? The Rocky-esque INVINCIBLE is the kind of movie that’ll turn on the waterworks. Hell, I’ll admit it: I shed a few tears during the course of this manipulative movie!

Based on the true-life experiences of one Vincent Papale, the movie follows the tried-and-true formula for all sports movies: the underdog gets his shot and makes something of himself. Yes, it’s predictable--but surely inspiring.

Starring rapper-turned-actor-turned-solid talent Mark Wahlberg, the actor embodies his real-life counterpart even if he bears only a passing resemblance to Papale and stands a good foot shorter. Other topliner is Greg Kinnear, terrific as real-life NFL coach Dick Vermeil (who won Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000 with the St. Louis Rams).

Kinnear himself is a fine actor and brings a dedication and warmth that truly mirrors his real-life doppelgänger, Vermeil. In fact, Kinnear researched his role by spending time with Coach Vermeil during his final year with the Kansas City Chiefs. Well-worth the effort.

The supporting cast is solid, with standouts being Michael Rispoli, Kirk Acevedo (and their sideburns & Marlboro Man moustaches--all of which should earn their bodyhairs entry into SAG) and let’s not forget the lovely, lovely Elizabeth Banks--who plays a NY Giants fan in the movie (go BIG BLUE!!!!).

One last acting merit goes to actor Frank Conway, who plays papa Frank Papale in an emotional and heartfelt performance. Come on fellas, how many of you tough-guys out there didn’t get all choked up when father quietly says to embittered son:

Just because I told you not to get your hopes up didn’t mean that I didn’t.

Yeah, I thought so. Hits me every time, man.

Behind the camera, director/cinematographer Ericson Core infuses INVINCIBLE with a derring-do usually reserved for Disney-based sport biopics. Oh wait, this is one of them!

Seriously, Core--a cinematographer who has lensed pics like Daredevil (2003), The Fast And The Furious (2001) and Payback (1999)--infuses this movie with a nostalgic ‘70s mise-en-scene dripping with pigskin, sweat, beer, period rock music, bell-bottoms & sideburns and real Philadelphia locations. To boot, the cinematography is personified by a gorgeously-shot widescreen palette of amber hues and bright football colors (primarily Eagles green).

Core’s direction is on the ball, thanks to some solid acting, well-realized football sequences and a formulaic-yet-humanizing script by new scribe Brad Gann (Black Irish). Editing is also a strong factor in this mix, thanks to veteran editor Gerald “Jerry” Greenberg (Oscar-winner for 1971’s The French Connection).

All other tech credits (production design, costumes, score, soundtrack selections) are top-notch. And they should be for a modestly-budget movie (somewhere in the $30-40 million range). One more thing: the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles lent their support to the production, giving it their seal of approval.

THE BOTTOM LINE

An inspirational tale wrapped up in a cozy blanket of ‘70s nostalgia, INVINCIBLE merits a place in the pantheon of great gridiron movies (like the original The Longest Yard (1974), North Dallas Forty (1979) and Friday Night Lights (2004). While I love football--I really love football movies even more. See this one with your father, brother, uncle or even best buddy. Just bring the hankies that your woman hordes for chick-flick night!

CAST: Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, Elizabeth Banks, Kevin Conway, Michael Rispoli, Kirk Acevedo, Dov Davidoff, Michael Kelly

CREDITS: Director/Director of Photography: Ericson Core; Screenwriter: Brad Gann, based on the life story of: Vincent Papale; Producers: Gordon Gray, Mark Ciardi & Ken Mok; Production Designer: Sarah Knowles; Editor: Jerry Greenberg; Costume Designer: Susan Lyall; Music: Mark Isham

AC/V 2006 104m ENGLISH