Welcome to the business side of football.....if you are a fan and wanna get into this game for some football action please be advised....there's no single football game in the movie but this movie got some powerful punches with dialogues, emotions, performances and the truth. Was kinda disappointed to find this actually didn't happen and all is based on a play...the movie's plot was soo convincing and real and wanna make you find out what happens next in college football or any other college sport. It's a well directed movie centered around what we see in college sport and I highly recommend this movie.
42 Reviews
A sports drama, without, well, any sports.
Top_Dawg_Critic5 January 2022
As a 116 mins long sports drama, I was expecting to see at least one game. But instead it was scenes in and out of hotel rooms with some soap-opera melodramatics and twists. I will say though, this did feel very real, and I'm curious if this story was conceived as a slap in the face to college football et al. The performances by all were excellent and captivating, especially J. K. Simmons, and the only reason I sat through the entire film. The ending was underwhelming, and I never did get to see any game, but the film was still unique and well put together. This may not be for everyone, especially if you don't follow college football or sports in general. It's a generous 7/10 from me.
It's more than a game
nogodnomasters16 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The film starts only a few days from the National Championship game at the Superdome. Lemarcus James (Stephan James) is the star QB of one team. He announces to the world he is going to boycott the game in order to form a players union with compensation and healthcare insurance. Coach Lazor (J. K. Simmons) believes he can get him back, but also has issues with his wife's infidelity.
I thought it was a decent drama. If you watched the film expecting a football game, it never happens. Instead you get a trip to the sausage factory and witness the backroom talk.
Guide: f-word. No sex or nudity.
I thought it was a decent drama. If you watched the film expecting a football game, it never happens. Instead you get a trip to the sausage factory and witness the backroom talk.
Guide: f-word. No sex or nudity.
6/10
JoeHud1 January 2022
This is what you'd call a dialogue movie, and not half bad. The main gripes I have are wasting Jeffrey Donovan's talents, the horrid acting of the main character "LeMarcus", and the insanely bad overemotional acting on the black woman who was some sort of fixer. Each time someone questioned her she'd freak out, just waaaay overboard. JK Simmons as usual excellent performance wasn't enough to make up for this lady.
Good film, but requires previous knowledge
kevinmorice28 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The problem is that the underlying subject is too niche. You need to have at least some background in how US collegiate sports, and the US sports draft systems, work in order for the entire movie to make sense.
No amount of great performances from great actors can turn that niche subject into a popular movie. And there are plenty of them. JK Simmons is great. Uzo Aduba (new to me) absolutely smashes her role. The supporting characters are rounded out to prevent them becoming cheap stereotypes.
The extra twists are unnecessary, and often distracting from the main story, and the ending falls flat, but it is still worth 110 minutes of your time.
No amount of great performances from great actors can turn that niche subject into a popular movie. And there are plenty of them. JK Simmons is great. Uzo Aduba (new to me) absolutely smashes her role. The supporting characters are rounded out to prevent them becoming cheap stereotypes.
The extra twists are unnecessary, and often distracting from the main story, and the ending falls flat, but it is still worth 110 minutes of your time.
Great drama, poor ending
PaxD756 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The entire dramatic presentation was riveting. The acting was superb throughout.
Then it picks up steam and it wasn't just... I have a little bit of dirt on you. Suddenly the lead character is looking at attempted murder charges, attempted murder coverup, a half-brother, a suicide, his best friend's life will be ruined. Really?
Plus all the earlier stuff... drinking problems, bad knee, secret medical records indicating he'll never play pro ball.
The film didn't need most of this. I think the bad knee might have sufficed. I thought both sides made their cases well. I liked that about the film. I understand the complexities of changing the system and that a resolution was impossible within a two hour film. Still... the ending was pure cop-out: a choice that was forced upon him.
You are both enjoying the drama, the acting, the general story and learning about the financials of college football but equally frustrated at a hero weighed down with so many problems that he really could never have led this fight.
Then it picks up steam and it wasn't just... I have a little bit of dirt on you. Suddenly the lead character is looking at attempted murder charges, attempted murder coverup, a half-brother, a suicide, his best friend's life will be ruined. Really?
Plus all the earlier stuff... drinking problems, bad knee, secret medical records indicating he'll never play pro ball.
The film didn't need most of this. I think the bad knee might have sufficed. I thought both sides made their cases well. I liked that about the film. I understand the complexities of changing the system and that a resolution was impossible within a two hour film. Still... the ending was pure cop-out: a choice that was forced upon him.
You are both enjoying the drama, the acting, the general story and learning about the financials of college football but equally frustrated at a hero weighed down with so many problems that he really could never have led this fight.
Horrible
patrickkeens10 December 2021
What a complete waste of time. I had my suspicions when I was the only one in attendence at tonight's screening. Apparently, everyone was smarter than me, or was tipped off, to stay away from this one. In my solitude, I had the misfortune to witness boring, repetitive scenes pile up on the screen for nearly two hours only to cumulate in a truly stupid and unsatisfactory conclusion. Thank god it is now over and in the past for good. I can do something, practically anything, that would be a better use of my time.
Storyline just okay
ilovefoodcoma16 December 2021
Best cast of the worst movie I've seen
joshbsweeney29 December 2021
I have no idea how they paid so many great actors to be in this. The plot is slow moving. The pivotal moment of information doesn't really make sense. It's a lazy writer trying to make money off a very controversial topic.
Where does it end?
nick-7054725 September 2023
I get the fact that athletes want to be protected, but where does end or start? High school or middle school? Anyone paying to see someone play now deserves the "stipend"? We all want transparency. Where does the money go? Not sure this movie clarifies any of that. This film is an easy trigger. It has plenty of twists that do perform too convenient. The acting is good. I gave it a 6 for that. Otherwise, its a seedy movie with a compassion to groom the masses and pretend it didn't just say that. The Russian comment. Certain actors have been activists. I just wish they would just act. The music is good and gives rhythm.
Wow just wow
intrepidami16 December 2021
I question the honesty and integrity of any professional reviewer who gave this 10 star review instead of an actual honest review. This things a hot mess from beginning to end. They love to throw out plot twists that you'd like to find out more about, but then immediately drop them in favor of screwy dialogue the entire movie. It shoots itself in the foot like this over and over. Like simply shocking you will keep you interested for 10 minutes at a stretch. Like we don't have time to pursue anything interesting, it'll take time away from our preaching.
Surprisingly good movie
helghast-133712 January 2022
There's a lot of unfair hate in the reviews about it not showing a football game thus missing the point of the movie.
There are a couple side plots that are unnecessary which is why I subtracted a couple of stars but I highly recommend this movie to anyone that's interested in the debate whether student-athletes (or at least those playing football) deserve more than just an education and small stipend for playing at a collegiate level while the NC 2 A rakes in more dough than they need to subsidize scholarships for all student-athletes in all sports nationwide.
Personally I did more than a couple of papers on this subject in college and while I don't have an expert level of knowledge I do have more than zero and I'll leave it at that. The acting was actually really good, save one female actor, and the script writing was really good. Overall go in with zero expectations and you'll be entertained.
There are a couple side plots that are unnecessary which is why I subtracted a couple of stars but I highly recommend this movie to anyone that's interested in the debate whether student-athletes (or at least those playing football) deserve more than just an education and small stipend for playing at a collegiate level while the NC 2 A rakes in more dough than they need to subsidize scholarships for all student-athletes in all sports nationwide.
Personally I did more than a couple of papers on this subject in college and while I don't have an expert level of knowledge I do have more than zero and I'll leave it at that. The acting was actually really good, save one female actor, and the script writing was really good. Overall go in with zero expectations and you'll be entertained.
good plotline and acting but premature ending
danielgraves31 October 2023
Writer Adam Mervis put out a pretty good plot on this one. The flick was interesting with little dead time. But the ending was abrupt. It felt like they just ran out of money, or couldn't think of a way to end the movie. What a let-down! At least they have room for a sequel. But kudos to Adam Mervis for an original plot and near-real storyline. Director Rick Roman Waugh did a good job getting interesting and believable performances from his actors, but the continuity needed some polishing. Some scene cuts and actor emotional transitions were a little confusing. Kudos for the producers choosing to shoot in New Orleans, where they could use the money influx.
Decent movie if you need a nap
brandonalesky28 December 2021
To much of a political statement
disnotbetty-101954 April 2023
''The NCAA doesn't pay its student athletes despite earning billions of dollars off our hard work every year'' - (Lamarcus James)
With only 72 hours before the NCAA National Football Championship game, Lamarcus James, super star quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner, decides to boycott the game. Lamarcus, along with his wide receiver and best friend Emmet Sunday, announces on TV that they will not play in the big game to protest student athletes not receiving any compensation (pay) from the NCAA. They ask other players to join them and ignite a player's strike until all student-athletes are fairly compensated.
So now with with sponsors threatening to pull out, (literally billions of dollars at stake) the Power Brokers take over (NCAA & SEC) and bring in their ''Fixer''(Uzo Aduba) to handle Lamarcus and fix everything.
The Fixer surprises Lamarcus with a very sincere and passionate speech and we suddenly see a totally different side to the ''compensation'' for student athletes. Now, with only hours until kickoff, will Lamarcus have a change of heart?
Really, football is not the main theme, we never really see any actual football being played. Should College athletes receive a salary? ... well that is what this movie is about and the movie plays out more like a political statement then I would have liked to have seen.
Now all politics aside, there are good performances in this movie. What a Incredible performance by Uzo Aduba, and J. K. Simmons, Tim Blake Nelson, Jeffrey Donovan, Kristin Chenoweth, and Timothy Olyphant.
So now with with sponsors threatening to pull out, (literally billions of dollars at stake) the Power Brokers take over (NCAA & SEC) and bring in their ''Fixer''(Uzo Aduba) to handle Lamarcus and fix everything.
The Fixer surprises Lamarcus with a very sincere and passionate speech and we suddenly see a totally different side to the ''compensation'' for student athletes. Now, with only hours until kickoff, will Lamarcus have a change of heart?
Really, football is not the main theme, we never really see any actual football being played. Should College athletes receive a salary? ... well that is what this movie is about and the movie plays out more like a political statement then I would have liked to have seen.
Now all politics aside, there are good performances in this movie. What a Incredible performance by Uzo Aduba, and J. K. Simmons, Tim Blake Nelson, Jeffrey Donovan, Kristin Chenoweth, and Timothy Olyphant.
Why now????
kevinrey6717 December 2021
Maybe a few years ago this movie would make a little sense but players can now sign NIL deals and make tons of money while in college so if your good you will be payed just like in the pros. This movie came out just a little to late...
Play turned into film throws too many interceptions
kiroolioneaver2 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Only watched the first 56 minutes of this film before fast forwarding to the end (it was that boring/uninteresting). If I had watched this in theatres, I feel that this would've been the first movie ever I would've walked out on and that's saying something as I love college football and I am passionate about the student-athletes getting what they deserve (you know how far we've come when Republican governors like Ron DeSantis are in favour of players getting a piece of the pie).
First things first; making a movie/tv show about a fictional sports team/character set in a real-life league is going to require licencing. I know, I know, if you get the licencing you're either going to have to pay and/or submit the script for approval but by not having that and being a low-budget movie, it takes away from the authenticity/realism especially when coaches, players, and media are referring to "ESPN," "the NCAA," "the Big 12," and "Vanderbilt." Although superficial (and films like "any Given Sunday" have arguably pulled this off) this leads into the second more important point: the scope.
A way to get around not having licensing when you're trying to depict two big college football programmes facing off in the title game for the College Football Playoff would've been to re-interpret this as a five-star recruit making the decision as to where he wants to go to college. Having a fictional high school would've gotten around the issue of licencing since those are way more believable, and it could've been centred around National Signing Day almost mirroring the recent decision made by top recruit Travis Hunter's decision to go to an HBCU over a Power 5 programme. Weighing the more exploitative relationship at an Alabama versus a Jackson State or Harvard (which have sent players to the NFL) where the player gets more bang for their buck would've been an interesting backdrop that also offered the limited scope (you could set the entire thing in the hallways of a high school).
Ultimately, one of the things working against this film is the fact that it is outdated. This is primarily because the primary issue of the NCAA was not that it didn't pay it's players; it has and does in the form of scholarships; the central argument was should student-athletes be able to receive compensation above and beyond (and even up to) the true cost of attendance. The NCAA made the fatal mistake of preventing players (adults) from making money (e.g. No internships--which this film does bring up--not being able to accept gifts) while at the same time they didn't want to provide additional compensation in the form of salaries. By reluctantly allowing NIL, this issue of "if you're not going to pay the players, don't stop them from making money" the issue has been punctured and with Justice Brett Kavanagh's scathing decision baiting a case to be taken to the Supreme Court to allow for players to be classified as employees, this issue has been relatively dealt with as it is only now a matter of when, and not if, this will happen. The film characters in the film do note that NIL will only benefit the name players, but this is not entirely true. NIL allows the fourth-string punter or the field hockey player to monetize Youtube or Instagram (even OnlyFans) or even return to their hometowns during the summer and set up their own sports camps using their own name, likeness, and image (NIL). Everyone actually benefits from NIL legislation much more than what the film would have you believe.
Also, the reason why (like the storyline in one of the recent NBA 2K's where a senior player "boycotts"---the accurate term should be strike--the national championship game in his sport) this is fictional and not based on a true story is that student-athletes at the Power 5 schools in the revenue generating sports benefit (yes, even under the table monetarily) from the system as well. In other words, they are not just victims. This is also an issue I had with a film this was compared to "High Flying Bird"; the reason there why the top athletes don't go an start their own basketball league is because then they would have to invest the money and directly suffer the risks of things like the pandemic. As an NBA player, you show up play and every two weeks, rain or shine, regardless if the league has lost television revenue, ratings, attendance is down, you get paid your guaranteed salary. That's why these movements are being hypothetically on film by those outside, and not within, the sport by those with the actual power to make the statement.
This is also illustrated in that we have the quarterback preaching to the students as to how the NCAA takes advantage of them. Not only is this patronizing, as his fellow students are also college students, but ever since NCAA Football 14 was cancelled by EA Sports and the successive lawsuits that have followed, you'd have to be pretty much living under a rock to not know how exploitative college athletes are (particularly as a college athlete).
Things that I did like where the ruthlessness of the NCAA in terms of instigating a destruction of character mission against the athletes. This is realistic whenever one goes up against a big corporation and many times, as the saying goes, it's not personal, it's business." The sideshow affair could've been cut (much like the romance in the film "Draft Day") but J. K. Simmons was good and you do buy Stephan James as the charismatic leader/quarterback (as a fellow Canuck, I appreciated the way James pronounced "Sues-catch-you-won" in the way an American would when he joked about having to play in the CFL; his Canadian co-star's "southern accent" though, came off as less authentic).
First things first; making a movie/tv show about a fictional sports team/character set in a real-life league is going to require licencing. I know, I know, if you get the licencing you're either going to have to pay and/or submit the script for approval but by not having that and being a low-budget movie, it takes away from the authenticity/realism especially when coaches, players, and media are referring to "ESPN," "the NCAA," "the Big 12," and "Vanderbilt." Although superficial (and films like "any Given Sunday" have arguably pulled this off) this leads into the second more important point: the scope.
A way to get around not having licensing when you're trying to depict two big college football programmes facing off in the title game for the College Football Playoff would've been to re-interpret this as a five-star recruit making the decision as to where he wants to go to college. Having a fictional high school would've gotten around the issue of licencing since those are way more believable, and it could've been centred around National Signing Day almost mirroring the recent decision made by top recruit Travis Hunter's decision to go to an HBCU over a Power 5 programme. Weighing the more exploitative relationship at an Alabama versus a Jackson State or Harvard (which have sent players to the NFL) where the player gets more bang for their buck would've been an interesting backdrop that also offered the limited scope (you could set the entire thing in the hallways of a high school).
Ultimately, one of the things working against this film is the fact that it is outdated. This is primarily because the primary issue of the NCAA was not that it didn't pay it's players; it has and does in the form of scholarships; the central argument was should student-athletes be able to receive compensation above and beyond (and even up to) the true cost of attendance. The NCAA made the fatal mistake of preventing players (adults) from making money (e.g. No internships--which this film does bring up--not being able to accept gifts) while at the same time they didn't want to provide additional compensation in the form of salaries. By reluctantly allowing NIL, this issue of "if you're not going to pay the players, don't stop them from making money" the issue has been punctured and with Justice Brett Kavanagh's scathing decision baiting a case to be taken to the Supreme Court to allow for players to be classified as employees, this issue has been relatively dealt with as it is only now a matter of when, and not if, this will happen. The film characters in the film do note that NIL will only benefit the name players, but this is not entirely true. NIL allows the fourth-string punter or the field hockey player to monetize Youtube or Instagram (even OnlyFans) or even return to their hometowns during the summer and set up their own sports camps using their own name, likeness, and image (NIL). Everyone actually benefits from NIL legislation much more than what the film would have you believe.
Also, the reason why (like the storyline in one of the recent NBA 2K's where a senior player "boycotts"---the accurate term should be strike--the national championship game in his sport) this is fictional and not based on a true story is that student-athletes at the Power 5 schools in the revenue generating sports benefit (yes, even under the table monetarily) from the system as well. In other words, they are not just victims. This is also an issue I had with a film this was compared to "High Flying Bird"; the reason there why the top athletes don't go an start their own basketball league is because then they would have to invest the money and directly suffer the risks of things like the pandemic. As an NBA player, you show up play and every two weeks, rain or shine, regardless if the league has lost television revenue, ratings, attendance is down, you get paid your guaranteed salary. That's why these movements are being hypothetically on film by those outside, and not within, the sport by those with the actual power to make the statement.
This is also illustrated in that we have the quarterback preaching to the students as to how the NCAA takes advantage of them. Not only is this patronizing, as his fellow students are also college students, but ever since NCAA Football 14 was cancelled by EA Sports and the successive lawsuits that have followed, you'd have to be pretty much living under a rock to not know how exploitative college athletes are (particularly as a college athlete).
Things that I did like where the ruthlessness of the NCAA in terms of instigating a destruction of character mission against the athletes. This is realistic whenever one goes up against a big corporation and many times, as the saying goes, it's not personal, it's business." The sideshow affair could've been cut (much like the romance in the film "Draft Day") but J. K. Simmons was good and you do buy Stephan James as the charismatic leader/quarterback (as a fellow Canuck, I appreciated the way James pronounced "Sues-catch-you-won" in the way an American would when he joked about having to play in the CFL; his Canadian co-star's "southern accent" though, came off as less authentic).
Socialist Propaganda
mrsutman-7512725 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
As we've seen now, this idea has ruined college sports. If a free education and free roommate board isn't enough for you, then don't play.
If you have a better or easier path to those things then, by all means, take it!!
In this instance, if someone wants to boycott, against a commitment THEY made, then let them. Good riddance to young athletes who think they deserve more than they've agreed to.
I just wish young people in general could get past this feeling of entitlement they have about everything and stay true to the commitments they make. Our world is in sorry shape when we let things like the NIL happen.
If you have a better or easier path to those things then, by all means, take it!!
In this instance, if someone wants to boycott, against a commitment THEY made, then let them. Good riddance to young athletes who think they deserve more than they've agreed to.
I just wish young people in general could get past this feeling of entitlement they have about everything and stay true to the commitments they make. Our world is in sorry shape when we let things like the NIL happen.
National Champions
JoBloTheMovieCritic27 January 2022
8/10 - despite some clunky dialogue/story elements and me knowing next to nothing about college football, this fascinating dramatization of the ongoing NCAA debate is truly gripping and is empowered by the fantastic acting performances of Stephan James, J. K. Simmons, and most of all, Uzo Aduba (who in another universe would be Oscar-nominated for this emotionally riveting performance)
Snooze... No Ending
chipmanjamie14 January 2024
Talk about being held hostage for two hours... What a terrible script!!!!!!! It actual takes a certain type of talent to take such great actors, combine it with a flash point topic and yet deliver something that is boring and unfinished! Don't waste your time, this movie will be JUST entertaining enough to convince you to keep watching and then end without ever getting better, making a single point or resolving a single storyline! What talentless idiot wrote this script and what charlatan convinced so many great actors to be part of it?!!!! Please! Learn from my mistake and save yourselves!!!!
Boring !!!! Did Kap produce this propaganda ?
allboyzokfarm22 March 2022
Boring !!!! Did Kap produce this propaganda ?
College players receive an education & stipends. They need to apologize to slaves. A knee MRI isn't comparable to teeth inspection.
Boring !!!! Did Kap produce this propaganda ?
College players receive an education & stipends. They need to apologize to slaves. A knee MRI isn't comparable to teeth inspection.
Boring !!!! Did Kap produce this propaganda ?
No ending, leaves you hanging.
mapanari11 March 2022
Bad direction; someone paid a lot of money for one named actor to front this bad movie and trick you into watching it.
Was surprised it wasn't full of dream sequences, references to Pee tapes and imbedded commercials like Net Flicks does with beer, smoking and whisky ads.
Was surprised it wasn't full of dream sequences, references to Pee tapes and imbedded commercials like Net Flicks does with beer, smoking and whisky ads.
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