robertg20 As an Australian who knows absolutely nothing about American football (rugby union, rugby league and Australian football are our three types of football) this was a wonderful tearjerker of a movie. Beautifully paced and very well acted. I've never seen Eckhardt give such a well-rounded performance. This could have been just another soppy, cliched sports movie but instead it's an inspiring movie with a lot of heart. If you're not American, don't be put off. I strongly recommend it.

bobbange-965-399324 This may have smacked of the Ozzie and Harriet days but, what's wrong with that? About time for a return to decency! Sure, we all know that all kinds of language is used in a football camp, and we certainly know what sex scenes are all about since we are inundated with them in almost every film. What a nice break from filth this was! It proves that you can tell a story without going into the gutter. I'm surprised that it was even able to be made! Using language and sex would not in any way have enhanced this story, but it would have kept young viewers away. And during the last half hour you could have heard a pin drop as everyone in the audience was riveted. I will go out of my way to see and recommend other Angelo Pizzo films.

SnoopyStyle An elderly Coach Royal (Aaron Eckhart) is being interviewed about his playing days. He starts recounting one of his player named Freddie Steinmark (Finn Wittrock). Steinmark isn't an All-American player but he has an All-American heart. He is a hard-working, religious, and pious kid. He's the first to arrive and the last to leave. Linda Wheeler (Sarah Bolger) is his high school sweetheart. He plays for Royal's University of Texas Longhorns.Nothing really dramatic happens in the first two thirds of the movie. There are some cute stuff like his puppy love with Sarah Bolger. Wittrock isn't that charismatic and the character is very square. It's a very straight biopic. The writer should realize the meat of the story is the eventual expected medical issue. Honestly, I don't know anything about the true story. Since nothing happens for most of the movie, I assumed that some big tragedy happens in the climax. That's what happens in most of these movies and in this one, it's not that climatic.Even the twist is problematic. Essentially, Steinmark is too stubborn to go to a doctor. It's playing-thru-the-pain ethos on steroids. Even his refusing to use a wheelchair is problematic. He's willing to pop his stitches and ignore his doctor. There are ways to make this a compelling journey. It would make more emotional sense if people start pitying him. This could have been a great movie about the battle for his life. Instead, we're spending hours on the predictable football games.

Euric Santi Just the values it has this history is so underrated. Is a great movie, with an awesome new cast and some fresh blood. Might seem like same old same old football movie, but is not like that. I've seen many football movies (Invincible, We are Marshalls, Any Given Sunday,Gridiron Gangs, remember the titans, the blind side, and some others) and this one got me, is natural, soft and with 'ok' performances, not Oscar worthy, but they're great for the movie. I recommend it if you love movies, drama and sports is great for you to watch with your teens and show them some values about endurance, love, family and team. My favorite quote was "Football doesn't build character, it eliminates out the weak ones". That's just applicable to life and anything you pursue with your heart.