Proof that no matter your age, you can achieve incredible things

Rating: 8/10 (6 January 2020)

SYNOPSIS:
Based on the true story of the 30-year-old bartender Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg), who took advantage of open tryouts held by the Philadelphia Eagles and fought his way into becoming a professional football player.
REVIEW SUMMARY:
This is one of those films where I know technically it's not the most sound film, but I love the story, how it's told and it has a rewatch-ability factor for me. Mark Wahlberg probably should've shown a bit more emotion, but I kind've love the way he portrayed Vince. With a lot going wrong for him I think it's suiting to have a more helpless emotion. Of course, if this is never how Vince was, then I wouldn't encourage straying to this type of emotional portrayal, but I simply don't know. I also really loved Elizabeth Banks and his now wife Janet and I though Greg Kinnear was great as Eagles coach Dick Vermeil. It's reminiscent of "Rudy", but is different in a still heart-warming way.
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DIRECTION:
Directed by Ericson Core, I thought he gave life to Philadelphia. Through direction he made the community of friends a character of its own. In a story like this, that's always very important. There was an awkwardly places slow-motion shot in one of the friendly football games near the end, but other than that I have to say the direction was solid all around.
WRITING:
Not knowing how accurate this story is to the real thing it's tough to say how good the writing truly is. However, being a good movie is always going to be a priority for me and this is a good movie with strong dialogue. Strong relationships between Vince, Philadelphia, friends and loved ones really made this script special. The most important aspect of this script, however, was that it never veered off to focus on some sub-plot that didn't matter. The script focused everything on the story of Vince and surrounded him with the necessary elements.
ACTING:
Mark Wahlberg gives a rather emotional emotionless performance that I love. As much as that doesn't make sense, it does. He shows a spark of emotion at just the right moments and he's emotionless at just the right moments. Fantastic surrounding performances from Elizabeth Banks and Greg Kinnear. Everyone in this really brings this film together.