A great opportunity wasted....

Rating: Null/10 (15 July 2001)

Although you can't argue about taste, people have to admit that Oliver Stone has made some of the most interesting, exciting, shocking and fresh, new movies of the last 20 years. Most of them have their own style, pace and even really good soundtracks. Now, Al Pacino is someone who I always like to watch, even when the movies themselves are terrible. He's really unique, and keeps on becoming a better actor every single time. Even people like Dennis Quaid and Cameron Diaz are very skillfull actors, although mostly underrated....
Now throw in some wonderful cinematography, incredible sound and the normal Stone-ish film length of almost 3 hours and you are in for a real treat - a masterpiece, or at least an enjoyable and interesting experience that will keep you thinking and talking about it for some time.
Looking at all that, it was a complete shock to see this movie. No, not even the word 'seeing' completely covers the feeling of having to endure this 3 hour pile of complete nonesence and abuse of great potential. I am sure that your opinion will be a bit more positive if you truly are a football fan, but as a filmfan with a broad interest there still is nothing I really like about this movie.
First of all unlike some what some people might say, the story of this movie is incredibly thin and shallow - it is made up of things 'you already have seen so many times before'. The only basic elements are simply an old player that is about to get sacked, but is still clinging on because of his old 'milestones', a new guy who can hardly cope with the pressure but is about to be discovered, a good coach having a bad time, and an annoying manager who knows as much about the game as the average fan.
But without doubt the most terrible thing about this movie are the characters. There are no private lives, no drama, no joy....all people are completely shallow, hollow, uninteresting, without having any other things to talk about than football: the results, contracts, etc.
The beautifull cinematography and sound doesn't make up for the completely failed 'behind the scenes' type of story.
Oliver Stone has showed us what we -the spectators- usually see on the field, and read & see in the media.
The only inside information is when the young Quarterback shows us all his last night's dinner on the field, something which onitself is a ridiculous way of portaying someone who's being bothered with nerves. Aside from it being disgusting to watch, it's hardly realistic and makes this movie rather ridiculous and annoying to watch.
Like Oliver Stone ? Have a look at JFK if you like suspence, Natural Born Killers if you like action and great music, or Platoon if you like to see people dealing with death, nerves or failure. Like Al Pacino ? Have a look at all his other movies....but just ignore this one.
Bart