Pig Skin Saga Without the Gipper

Rating: 9/10 (10 June 2006)

I'm not a foot ball fan of any sort, but I love The Replacements, a film about heart and scabs in the NFL. Keanu Reeves is Shane Falco, a Ohio State QB who fumbled the big game and his career on national TV. Gene Hackman is Jimmy McGinty, a retired coach who inspires his team by respecting their talent and ability to rise above their former selves. With end Jon Favreau, running back, Orlando Bloom, and head cheerleader, Brook Langdon, they are the little team that could.
As his team tries to develop into players, the NFL prima donna players who walked off the job over money taunt Falco for his "never was" status. Brett Cullen is the striking QB who taunts Falco, while his team mates accidentally sack him as well. Poor Falco can't win for trying, but the lovely cheer leader rubs his bruises with sweet potato lotion and everything is better. Comedy abounds in this film with lap dancing cheerleaders from the Pussykat Klub who can't spell the team's name during cheers, and wonderful running jokes with Favreau (Bateman) and Hackman (McGinty) as the coach who needs him to get the ball. Whether line dancing to "I Will Survive" or smooching during the final play, this is a great family and Saturday afternoon film for anyone who finds the ritual and riot of professional football simply beyond comprehension.