Invincible (2006)

Based on the story of Vince Papale, a 30-year-old bartender from South Philadelphia who overcame long odds to play for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles in 1976.

Director:

Ericson Core

Writer:

Brad Gann

Stars:

Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, Elizabeth Banks

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Wahlberg	...	Vince Papale
Greg Kinnear	...	Dick Vermeil
Elizabeth Banks	...	Janet Cantrell
Kevin Conway	...	Frank Papale
Michael Rispoli	...	Max Cantrell
Kirk Acevedo	...	Tommy
Dov Davidoff	...	Johnny
Michael Kelly	...	Pete
Sal Darigo	...	Mick
Nicoye Banks	...	TJ Banks
Turron Kofi Alleyne	...	Ronnie Sampson
Cosmo DeMatteo	...	Dean German
Stink Fisher	...	Denny Franks
Michael Mulheren	...	AC Craney
Michael Nouri	...	Leonard Tose

Storyline

In the sumer of 1976, 30-year old Vince Papale is having a tough run of luck. He's been working as a supply teacher for two days a week but has just found out that his job has been eliminated because of budget cuts. His wife gives up on him saying he'll never amount to anything and asks for a divorce. He works as a bartender and plays football with his friends. When the the new coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, Dick Vermeil, announces that he will hold open tryouts for the team, Vince reluctantly decides to give a try. Based on a true story.

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Plot Keywords:

philadelphia eagles | 30 year old | bartender | friend | divorce | 

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Taglines:

One man's impossible dream... became his biggest triumph!

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Disney [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Invencible

Filming Locations:

Franklin Field - 235 S. 33rd Street, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$33,924 (New Zealand) (24 November 2006)

Gross:

$33,924 (New Zealand) (24 November 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures, Mayhem Pictures, Who's Nuts Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The climatic touchdown that Vince Papale scores against the Giants off the fumbled punt is based on a real play. The actual play can be seen during a montage in the closing credits. However, Papale was not awarded a touchdown for his effort. The referees called the play a "muff", not a fumble, and thus the ball cannot be advanced beyond the drop.

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Goofs

While the film accurately points out that Vince Papale never played college football, it omits the fact that Papale played professional football in the World Football League with the Philadelphia Bell before joining the Eagles.

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Quotes

Tommy: Even if you're down there for an hour, you're down there.

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Connections

Referenced in Shooter (2007)

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Soundtracks

I've Been in Love
Written by John P. Coppola and Bill Cunliffe
Performed by Johnny Coppola

User Reviews

Good Story telling, brings back memories

I just came from and advanced screening tonight and it was an entertaining feel-good movie. The movie is based on a true "local guy makes good" story, and quite entertaining (although after searching online for Papale, it appears that they may have taken a bit of dramatic license with some of the details). The story telling and acting were good. I think Kinnear's presentation of Dick Vermeil (I remember seeing Vermeil on the local T.V. a lot back then) was outstanding. Mark Wahlberg gave a credible performance as a determined underdog here, he seems to be maturing as an actor, and from what I could tell was in good physical condition to play this role. Kirk Acevado and Mark Raspoli put in good supporting performances as (sometime) supportive friends and relatives. The movie is an O.K. family movie if you don't mind a bit of swearing and sports/football violence (tackles, blocks and those sorts of things).

I grew up in eastern Pennsylvania, and can remember the atmosphere in my home town and, to a lesser extent, Philadelphia at that time. The decline of manufacturing, labor disputes and unemployment/hardship on workers and their families was well presented. My recollections of the Eagles were that the team was pretty weak and the fans being very vocal in their disappointment (this is a Philadelphia tradition for all their sports, it isn't just reserved for football). Among my favorite scenes is some neighborhood football that brought back some memories (although our games were a bit less brutal). There are a number of funny scenes in the movie and quick one-liners (which I won't spoil here).