Movie presented a rough draft day of a General Manager. Yet the story could had been told better. Movie was just alright.

Rating: 7/10 (21 May 2014)

This movie was no touchdown. Honestly, the movie could had work, better, if the producers retouch in some areas in the script to make it more entertaining. As a huge football fan, I found it to be a bit boring. Even some NFL fans, don't bother watching the Draft due to its confusing nature, and how dull & long, it can last. You would think a movie directed by Ivan Reitman, who known for his comical movies would at less make Draft Day, a bit funny or fun to watch, but this movie is void of humor and action. I'm not saying, this movie is bad film, it was just disappointing to me. The premise of the film revolves around the General Manager of the Cleveland Browns, Sonny Weaver (Kevin Costner) whom is trying to decide what is best for his team, for the upcoming NFL Draft pick. I think the movie is indeed a poor man's version of 2011's Money Ball with its similar premise. While, Moneyball was based on real events and was captivating. This movie was so fictionalized that none of it, really matters in the end. Yes, the trade that Cleveland makes in the movie is similar to the real-life trade made in the 2012 NFL Draft where the Washington Redskins traded their 2012 #6 overall pick, 2012 2nd Round selection, 2013 1st Round selection and 2014 1st Round selection for the 2012 #2 overall pick in order to select the star, they wanted, but it didn't help Washington win the Super Bowl that year. Honestly, we, as the audience don't even see the results of what the draft in the film did for the team for Cleveland Brown, or the film antagonist, the Seattle Seahawks. If the movie show them, winning or getting somewhere, maybe we can call the draft, a success or a bust, but the film doesn't do that for us. They don't even play a game in the movie. So, what was the point? I feel bad for Cleveland Browns and football fans, because there is little football action in a football movie. I don't get how the film need to dumb down the movie, for the audience mostly made out for hardcore NFL fans. Does the movie really need to explain what NFL team play for what city? It's pointless, because most likely non-NFL fans are not going to bother, watching this movie, anyways! I love wheeling and dealing backstage thing, but it wasn't tense, enough. The first half of the movie was really slow and had horrible pacing. Lot of filler scenes with the sub-plots of Sonny's secret girlfriend Ali Parker, (Jennifer Garner) being pregnancy that has little to do with the main plot. While, the movie did have a timer, it felt that the only good part in the film were the last 10 minutes, when the deals were going through. It was pretty realistic and accurate, plus a good watch. Why couldn't the movie just be about that? I think, this movie concept would have work better as a documentary like ESPN 30 for 30 film series. Why couldn't this movie be based on the documentary, 'Elway to Marino" an in-depth examination of the 1983 NFL Draft that was highlighted by a record six quarterbacks being taken in the first round, including future Hall of Famers John Elway and Dan Marino. Now, that was an interesting landmark draft. If not that, the infamous 1998's NFL Draft, where teams fought over Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf. I love to see a movie that had some great draft bust and draft steals, which this movie sadly was missing. The acting is alright, but the movie mostly focus on the main character, so the film lacks development supporting characters. They are harden noticeable. I do like the cameos of real football stars like Arian Foster and legend Jim Brown. I give Arian Foster, some props. He can act. A lot of people might not like Kevin Costner's acting chops, but for me being a huge fan of Kevin Costner's early work, I have to say that, I find his acting in this film OK. Still, I think he was a bit typecast. I really don't know what the movie was going with his character. It felt like it was written for a much younger actor, and Kevin's presence make the film seem old and tiresome. Another thing, bothering me is the awful swap and cross cuts. The movie really went overboard with the transitions and it did become a bit repeatable. Lots of dialogue, but none of them were very noticeable. Give the audience more rocket-fire witty dialogue. I would pass on this movie at theaters or buying the DVD, and interception for a DVD rental price or wait into it aired on TV. Tackle it, if you really want to watch it, but just note, that while, it's describe as a football movie. There is little of it, in the end. Still, a very thought-provoking perspective into the business side of the NFL.