Any Given Sunday, by Leslie Adams, got 3 and a half stars from 4
Any Given Sunday is the latest movie from director Oliver Stone. And after seeing this movie I had to take a deep breath, and relax for a moment, from the breakneck energy, and speed that this movie has. I was totally taken in by the stellar performances, bone crushingly real football action, but a little let down by the clichés that were thrown into the mix. This movie will leave you breathless.
The movie is about exposing pro football. Showing us what we
don't see, from behind the scenes. Al Pacino stars as Tony D'Amato, head coach of
the Miami Sharks. He is intense, frustrated, and been in the game for way too
long. In the opening scenes of the movie, we are stuck right into the action of
football, as we watch the sharks struggle to get a win, and break their streak of 3 loss'
in a row. Jack `Cap' Rooney, played by Dennis Quaid, is the quarter back, and he is
hit hard during a play, and taken off the field in a stretcher. Right after him, is
the second quarterback, also taken off the field on a stretcher. Next comes in the
Shark's final quarter back, Willie Beaman, played by Jamie Foxx. He is not so good
at first, but soon gets into his rhythm. He has a hell of a game, even though they
lose for the fourth time in a row. From there on, Beaman's success goes straight to
his head. His girlfriend leaves him, his teammates hate him, but he is winning
games.
Cameron Diaz, plays Christina Pagniacci, owner of the team. She inherited it from her father, and D'Amato has been the coach for the past 3 decades. Pagniacci wants to move the franchise, but hasn't told D'Amato yet. She also likes the new QB, and doesn't want Rooney to be put back in, after he recovers. D'Amato wants Rooney, because Beaman is tearing the team apart. This internal conflict is another sub-plot to the movie. Others include the rivalry between Rooney and Beaman. Another has James Woods, playing the medical doctor, who doesn't tell players when they are seriously hurt, because he knows they won't want to be taken out of the game.
The movie has a breakneck energy, that doesn't stop throughout the movie. Especially when we are in the midst of football action, which there is a lot of. I think that the football action is some of the best I have ever seen. They are perfect in the way they show the craziness of the plays, and the impact of the hits, up close. Some of it may be too intense for some people to watch. It is fast, and out of control. In the style of most Oliver Stone pictures.
The performances in this film are the heart and soul of the movie. Al Pacino is perfect for the role of head coach. This particular coach is always fired up during games, yelling, and always on top of things. Pacino is perfect for this, because he has the look and feel, that is required for this role. He is portraying a man who is frustrated, and under huge amouts of stress throughout this movie. His performance is chilling in some scenes. Jamie Foxx is excellent, as the QB, with an ego the size of a hot air balloon. He does cheesy television commercials, puts down his coach, and fellow players on national television, and gets into brawls with his teammates. Cameron Diaz is convincing in her role. You can see the intensity in her eyes. I also liked LL Cool J. He is becoming a great actor. He is good as the player who is in it for the money, and the fame, but doesn't let it all go to his head. James Woods is always good. Here he plays his usual jackass role, taking shots at those who don't have the wit to make a come back. The movie has quite a cast of big names.
The movies only weakness is that it suffers from over-used, sports movie clichés. I know that without some of these clichés, that sports movie just wouldn't be the same, but it still doesn't hurt to think up some new stuff. Take for example the usual scene, where the team is getting their ass' kicked, and they get a great speech from the coach, which gives them the hope, and strength they need to win the game. And of course, every sports movie has to come down to the obligatory, "big game", in the end. And in the big game, it comes down to the last crucial seconds, where it takes a special play to win game. I think you know how it usually turns out. Been there, seen that a million times.
But the movie is a very intelligent sports movie. It interweaves a lot of superbly acted characters, and follows them through the pain and defeat that comes with playing a professional sport. The movie has a lot of high energy, some great, realistic football action, and a lot of great performances. But I would expect that a great director like Oliver Stone, would know that clichés are the wrong way to go in a movie these days.
Cast:
Tony D'Amato: Al Pacino
Christina: Cameron Diaz
Jack `Cap' Rooney: Dennis Quaid
Willie: Jamie Foxx
Julian: LL Cool J
Dr. Mandrake: James Woods
Dr. Powers: Matthew Modine
Margaret: Ann-Margret
Directed by Oliver Stone
Rated R: Violence, coarse language throughout, brief nudity.
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