"Invincible" is inspring!

Rating: 9/10 (26 August 2006)

When a true life sports movie is done well, it will make you cheer on the subjected team or individual despite the known outcome. With "Invincible", Disney scores yet another winner that makes you applaud for Mark Wahlberg's portrayal of Philadelphia Eagle's longshot Vince Papale. The stellar supporting cast that includes Greg Kinnear and Elizabeth Banks only further rallies the audience's support for Papale to succeed. The excellent work of the cast not withstanding, it is the direction of Ericson Core that the story really takes shape. Core's guidance shows the hard times that befall the City of Brotherly Love and the inspiration and jubilance of their hometown boy's success. In Rocky-esquire style, "Invincible" triumphs over the typical underdog formula with rousing cheers and inspiration.
In 1976, the Philadelphia Eagles restructured the team by placing UCLA Coach Dick Vermeil (Greg Kinnear) as their new head coach. Vermeil announces that the Eagles will be holding open tryouts to find new players who want to join the team. Among them is 30-year-old bartender Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg). Encouraged by his friends, Papale goes to the tryouts and is the only person to make the initial draft. With the weight of an entire city on his shoulders, Papale struggles with personal and profession obstacles to achieve his dream.
"Invincible" marks Core's cinematic directorial debut and he triumphs as great as his subject matter. Core's story-telling ability keeps the audience informed and entertained while covering several areas in the film. He does not simply cover Papale's rise to the pros but also shows the desperation and despair of a city rattled by unemployment and layoffs. Core's depiction of the city mirrors the events that exist in Papale's own life. When the people are unemployed and down on their luck, Papale is undergoing his personal doubts of professionalism and hardship. When Papale succeeds, the city brightens up in accomplishment. Core shows that the success is not only about one man but of the entire city.
Brad Gann's script is formulaic in the "rise-from-nothing" story. We know that Papale comes from the bottom of the barrel and will rise to meet his goal. Gann's character development of Papale, however, is the most thriving part of the script. He does not write Papale as superhuman by simply defying the odds. Instead, Papale is an average human being. He doubts he can make the team, he has trouble paying the rent, he has relationship problems, etc. As we see each of these struggles, we can relate to them and it is in those human traits that we want for Papale to succeed. Gann's character analysis of the former Eagle is what wins over the audience.
Mark Wahlberg gives one of his most inspiring performances as Vince Papale. His greatest ability comes in capturing the emotion in Papale's personal feelings and often without saying anything. Even when Papale makes the draft, Wahlberg shows the doubt and anxiety the player must have experienced. It is clearly read in his face that he knows he is going up against professionals and that he may very well be in over his head. The determination Wahlberg shows that he wants to win not only for himself but also for his family and friends who have supported and stood with him. As the regular Joe who just wants to play football, Wahlberg taps into that essence to better identify with the audience. Greg Kinnear's performance as Dick Vermeil shares many of the same characteristics as Whalberg's Papale. As he is also a new addition to the franchise, Kinnear exhibits the coach's anxieties and doubts that he truly belongs in the big leagues and the pressure he is under to turn the team around. He is constantly studying plays and questioning if he made the right decision for the team. Through this dedication, Kinnear brings out the heart of the man that also wants to win for the fans and not just for him. In many sports films, the female lead is often cast as the woman who stands behind her man. As Papale's love interest Janet, the talented Elizabeth Banks is unfortunately little more than that. Banks brings out the supportive quality of Janet as she wishes him luck and sends him care packages. However, she is not much more than one of Papale's friends and cheerleaders.
Through the double helping of motivation by Wahlberg and Kinnear, "Invincible" ranks as another great film to instigate people to not give up on their dreams. Director Core shows that these individuals are everyday people. They do have personal difficulties and yet they can make their dreams come true. The film may not make you feel invincible but it will make you inspired.
Grade: B+