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. In an almost unheard of feat, he manages to make the team and enjoyed a three year career as a professional football player. Based on a true story.

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Plot Keywords:

philadelphia eagles | bartender | 30 year old | friend | professional football player | 

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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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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for sports action and some mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Disney [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Who's Nuts Invincible

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

In the second to final play in the movie, the 3rd and 10 running play, the Eagles are supposed to be on their own side of the field with "still a long way to go for the go ahead score" as said by the announcer. In the view of the camera you can clearly see the 10 yard line marker with the arrow pointing to the left, meaning they are only about 10 yards away from reaching the endzone.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Dick Vermeil: Thats the sound we were looking for.

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Connections

Referenced in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: The Gang Gets Invincible (2007)

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Soundtracks

"Let It Ride"
Written by Randy Bachman and Charles Turner
Performed by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Standard Underdog Pic

Somewhat loosely based on a true story, INVINCIBLE is your standard root-for-the-underdog sports movie, nothing more, nothing less. Mark Wahlberg is Vince Papale, a beefy touch football player/bartender who struts his stuff at an open tryout for the Philadelphia Eagles. Overcoming tremendous odds, Papale cracks the roster after earning the faith of rookie coach Dick Vermeil (Greg Kinnear).

INVINCIBLE probably would have been better as a less family-friendly film. Everything happens so cleanly in this Disney pic that it loses some of its realism and credibility. The audience may also feel cheated given the extreme liberties the writers took with the Papale story, including a complete disregard for his pro pigskin experience, fabricating an open-to-the-public tryout and the invention of a "you won't amount to anything" note from Papale's former partner. No bio pic is 100 per cent truthful, but this is going a bit too far.

While there is a certain charm and inspirational underpinning to INVINCIBLE, it can't hold a handle to many of the other entries of the same genre. It's one of those movies that can be summed up with four words: good but never great. The performances are good but never great. The direction is good but never great. The list goes on. Junior high-aged kids will probably appreciate this one the most.