Any Given Sunday (1999)

A behind the scenes look at the life and death struggles of modern day gladiators and those who lead them.

Director:

Oliver Stone

Writers:

Daniel Pyne (screen story), John Logan (screen story),

Stars:

Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid

3 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Al Pacino	...	Tony D'Amato
Cameron Diaz	...	Christina Pagniacci
Dennis Quaid	...	Jack 'Cap' Rooney
James Woods	...	Dr. Harvey Mandrake
Jamie Foxx	...	Willie Beamen
LL Cool J	...	Julian Washington
Matthew Modine	...	Dr. Ollie Powers
Jim Brown	...	Montezuma Monroe
Lawrence Taylor	...	Luther 'Shark' Lavay
Bill Bellamy	...	Jimmy Sanderson
Andrew Bryniarski	...	Patrick 'Madman' Kelly
Lela Rochon	...	Vanessa Struthers
Lauren Holly	...	Cindy Rooney
Ann-Margret	...	Margaret Pagniacci
Aaron Eckhart	...	Nick Crozier

Storyline

When a devastating hit knocks a professional football legend and quarterback Cap Rooney out of the game, a young, unknown third-stringer is called in to replace him. Having ridden the bench for years because of a string of bad luck stories and perhaps insufficient character, Willie Beaman seizes what may be his last chance, and lights up the field with a raw display of athletic prowess. His stunning performance over several games is so outstanding and fresh it seems to augur a new era in the history of this Miami franchise, and forces aging coach Tony D'Amato to reevaluate his time-tested values and strategies and begin to confront the fact that the game, as well as post-modern life may be passing him by. Adding to the pressure on D'Amato to win at any cost is the aggressive young President/Co-owner of the team, Christina Pagniacci, now coming into her own after her father's death. Christina's driving desire to prove herself in a male dominated world is intensified by her focus on the...

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Plot Keywords:

coach | ambition | journalism | drug abuse | party girl | 

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Taglines:

This Christmas. It's Better To Give Than Receive.

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language and some nudity/sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gridiron

Filming Locations:

Cardozo Hotel - 1300 Ocean Drive, South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£400,578 (UK) (31 March 2000)

Gross:

£1,036,320 (UK) (14 April 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Ixtlan, Donners' Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

150 min 156 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the shooting script, Christina Pagniacci (Cameron Diaz) was initially married.

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Goofs

Before the final play of the game, the quarterback is shown in the huddle with a part of his right shoulderpad outside of his jersey. When he comes to the line, the pad is tucked back in.

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Quotes

Tony D'Amato: If you're gonna be a loser, raise your hand. IF you're gonna act like a pussy, raise your hand.
[Julian Washington stands up and raises his hand]
Tony D'Amato: What the hell are you doing, J?
Julian Washington: Well, I didn't want you to be the only pussy with your hand up, so I thought I'd help you out.

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Crazy Credits

During the end credits, we see D'Amato accepting an award and telling of his future plans with the league.

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Connections

Referenced in HBO First Look: The Dark Knight (2008)

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Soundtracks

"STOMPBOX"
Written by Dr. Chug
Performed by Overseer
Courtesy of SANCTUARY MUSIC LTD.

User Reviews

One of the best of the year

I don't intend to add to the many positive comments about this movie. I agree with them. But from another perspective:

First, I have never been a football fan. However, any movie that combines Oliver Stone and Al Pacino has to get my interests. I loved it.

One thing that did impress me more than anything else was the quality of the sound design. The 3 dimensional noises in the huddle, on the line, from the grandstands; the growls and other sounds from the players; these things made the movie live and my blood boil. I was breathless.

Then these things interspersed with dead silences and slow motion dreamlike sequences gave the action a spiritual quality.

I stayed for the credits to see who had done this sound work and I think Wylie Stateman will get, at the very least, an Oscar nomination for sound design. If you ever wondered what this credit meant, see this movie and you will know. This movie would have lost a great deal of its punch without that sound designer's talent.