Surprising and quite good

Rating: 8/10 (8 June 2015)

Sports films always seem to revolve around THE GAME or BUILDING THE TEAM FROM NOTHING or a baseball field in a cornfield in Iowa. Well, this one is different, a behind the scenes look into how the NFL teams manage the draft day picks, an unknown subject to almost anyone. Which makes it interesting to start with. True, plot could be better in some ways, like Costner has to come through, he has to win his love, etc. These are the givens in almost any film. Put these things aside and you find a well crafted, thoughtful film about ego and pressure, severe at times. It shows you what a lonely job life at the top can be. Cast is 1st rate save the mother who can wear on your nerves, as she is supposed to. Ah well for that. Costner plays, well, Costner and that is always time around a good friend. The direction is crisp and the scene cuts and swipes are brilliant, a fine way to advance the action or non-action in this case. An aspect of a game we rarely see. Recommend. Gave it an 8 just because I knew nothing about Draft Day inner-workings and it was an educational film as well.