Varsity Blues for Adults

Rating: 6/10 (10 October 2004)

SUMMARY: Friday Night Lights (FNL) plays like a Varsity Blues (1999) remake from the adult viewpoint. Unfortunately, showing high school football through the eyes of coaches, parents, and townies is less interesting than showing it through the eyes of teens.
Plot line: Both FNL and VB share similar stories. Both are set in depressed Texas towns (Odessa, in FNL's case) that live for high school football. Hopes are high as both movies begin. Each team has a potential NFL pro, but a key injury forces the team to step up.
The casts are similar. Billy Bob Thornton is the domineering coach, though with considerably more compassion than Jon Voight. Lucas Black has the James Van Der Beek role of the quarterback whose heart may lie elsewhere. Ryanne Duzich is the popular girl, who like Ali Larter, wants to hook up with someone who will take away.
WEAKNESSES: The film has two major weaknesses. First, the players' are underdeveloped. Their main role in is to react to adults and so they almost always appear with their game faces on. As a result, it's hard to root for them. Do they really want to be champions? Or are they just playing because it's their job?
The film's other weakness is that it limited by a reality. Since no one would write about a losing team, we assume the Permian Panthers will play for a championship, so there is little suspense until the end. The film also tries to present too many points of view  coach, players, former players, rich townies, poor townies, etc. This dilutes the emotional impact of each tale. Some stories only get a quick scene or two.
STRENGTHS: That said, the film does have strong points. The football action is true to life and hard hitting. The main adult characters, including Billy Bob Thornton and Tim McGraw, are excellent and Derek Luke is the one player remembering. He delivers an outstanding emotionally charged performance, and his shirtless NFL-type body is truly a sight to behold.