More acceptable than a substitute film

Rating: Null/10 (9 June 2001)

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs
The Replacements is an engaging comedy/drama that details a disasterous time for the NFL in 1987 when a top team's players went on strike over a pay dispute,and some second-rate substitutes were called in to make it unsuccessful.Keanu Reeves is his usual plain but relateable self ,while Gene Hackman gives an inspiring performance as his coach.There's also a kinky looking blonde who provides the male viewers with some pleasant titillation,and Rhys Ifans plays impressively to form as a Welsh lager lout in debt to some racketeering mobsters.But the one main thing dogging the film like any other film about football is watching the football scenes themselves.The game of football is based around unpredictability and sudden emotion charging surprises,and never before,nor likely ever,will seeing it acted out be anything other than painful to watch.***