Rousing drama; hard-hitting but nothing exceptional

Rating: 7/10 (11 April 2020)

The strongest thing that "Friday Night Lights" has going for it is the excellent sense of place and time that is created. The dust-caked and sun-scorched world of Odessa, Texas, is brilliantly portrayed. Director Peter Berg does a commendable job in creating this, and also takes considerable care and consideration to the subject matter, making this a very rousing drama that evokes a pivotal time in these young men's lives. There is not a whole lot that could have been done with the story to make it any more than just another sports film concerning the trials and tribulations of the underdogs, in this instance the Permian High School football team in 1988, attempting to go all the way and win State, with the heavy pressure of the football-obsessed town weighing down on them. The performances, for the most part, are adequate, with Billy Bob Thornton taking the lead as the team's coach. Thornton included, some of the cast just looked unsure of themselves in this. Particularly in the emotional scenes and team-talks, which came out a little over-wrought at times. Apart from that, the football scenes are very well done. The hits are hard and the camera-work revels in the blood, sweat and tears.