The Best Sports Film Since "Hoosiers"!

Rating: Null/10 (6 October 2004)

As a former football player and a huge fan of the book "Friday Night Lights", I was more than thrilled to see that the novel was being adapted as a film. I first read the book over 10 years ago and have read it a few times since then as well. The movie more than does justice to Buzz Bissingers novel, and I believe it will appeal to athletes and regular movie-goers alike. The shaky camera perfectly captures the essence of being in the middle of the action on the football field and while it does get a little annoying at times, it detracts almost nothing from the movie itself. The performances of Billy Bob Thornton as Gary Gaines, and Derek Luke as Boobie Miles are outstanding. You feel sympathetic for both characters and really get an understanding as to what they must be going through at particular stages of the season. Tim McGraw also gives an amazing performance for a first timer as former Permian star Charlie Billingsly, a man that exemplifies what is wrong with some parents living their dreams vicariously thorough their young sons. The action on the field is great and the individual stories being told for all the characters is played out very nicely. The only real criticism I have is that two of the main characters from the book have been given seemingly second rate parts in the film. Linebacker Ivory Christian and TE Brian Chavez are both amazing stories and I thought they deserved at least a little better treatment in the film. Overall though, there is not much to complain about when it comes to "FNL". I have grown up around sports being the son of a HS coach so I really love movies based on football. Some are good. Any Given Sunday, The Longest Yard, and North Dallas Forty come to mind. And some are bad. Little Giants anyone? All in all, I really believe that FNL will satisfy a wide variety of people and it is a movie that should not be missed. If nothing, you WILL be entertained for 2 hours.