Any Given Sunday (1999)

This movie is hot.Behind the scenes Football extravaganza! There isn't much more to say that that...but it has to be at least 10 lines long so.In Typical Oliver Stone fashion, the movie has cast ALL of Hollywood and James Woods. So, in typical Oliver Stone fashion, even the bit parts have A-list actors bringing their A games to the field. So you can't fault the movie for pro talent.Most ALL of Stone's movies have that heavy handed acting.It almost feels like you haven't got acting credentials unless you've played a role in an Oliver Stone film. If you make it onto that honored list of cameos than you're a real actor.So you have that going for you.And if you are a football fan...and there are painfully few enjoyable football movies..."Any Given Sunday" has all the references you'd ever want, both to the real life and most of the boring football films that came before it.Baseball has all the really good movies doesn't it? Speaking of which I need to review the greatest sports movie ever made. That's right, "Bull Durham." You know Stone loves controversy when he casts a sports movie and leaves out Kevin Costner.Ramble, ramble, ramble and what you have here is a review of a movie that could be best titled: "Clash of the Egos" Some guys are team players and some guys aren't and you'll find out who is who on Any Given Sunday.Really, there are characters here that predicted the modern age of football where people on a losing team will dance over the slightest play.And that should be ten lines. Watch it, it's awesome

The first thing that strikes about Any Given Sunday, is its slowness: the lack of dynamism is so noticeable that is it very hard to finish the long 2h30.The second aspect that emerges is the global heaviness of the movie: whether it is the convenient, predictable and a bit cliché script, or the actors sometimes overacting, or the gaudy cinematography or the omnipresent soundtrack almost giving a powerful headache especially during the game scenes.Sure, there are a few positive points such as a few (rare) well written dialogues, or Al Pacino that, while not very subtle, is rather convincing, but it is not enough to make this movie really attractive and a classic of its kind.

Any Given Sunday delivers a raw, breath-taking, gritty side to the sport of football. Oliver stone scores a touchdown on his very unique vivid depiction of player/coach relations.The screenplay is strongly suited to the magical storytelling that Stone always creates in his films. The soundtrack fits perfectly throughout the film and the sound mixture from audiences to on-the-field dialogue.Speaking from a former football player from a high school level i can relate to the progression of righteous bonding that everyone develops.Oliver Stone including an all-star cast bring one of the most hard hitting, realistic football films to date. This movie brings the side of football that's concealed behind closed doors. Every moment drives you in complete awe. In sports films, nonetheless in films in general Any Given Sunday is as good as movies get.

With an all-star cast it's very difficult to pick fault with this movie. My only gripe was the odd "pat on the back" style lines that slipped in here and there, motivational war speeches after seeing the light etc but they certainly don't detract from what is an epic movie. The odd corny line here and there is almost unmeasurable in this 2hr40min marathon of high octane action and passionately acted masterpiece.Still find it hard to believe it was filmed in 1999!! Seems like it was just released this year every time I watch it (5 times now). Each character is integral to his or her own part and you're never left wondering why they had a part in the first place. Whether it's Pacino's lead role on film or Lauren Holly's minor character of Quaid's "Cap Rooney" wife.....they all have fantastic screen presence and have you relating to them straight away. Life and death struggles was a bit of an overstated tag line, but certainly you start to bond and feel every painful emotion and physical blow the team (Miami Sharks) endure.I personally haven't felt an emotional football or even sports movie like this since All The Right Moves back in the early 80's with Tom Cruise. From Pacino and Foxx down to minor coaching cameo actors, they all have 3 dimensional roles. This movie could've easily have been over 3 hours long and it would still be over too quick. I only wish that Oliver Stone would direct a hockey epic like this instead of the comedy mishaps we always get like Slap Shot, Youngblood and Goon!! A solid 8/10 for a film that brings out some of the best performances from Pacino, Quaid & James Woods. Foxx is brilliant in making you feel compassion early on for his character to feeling utter disdain and contempt as his alter-ego grows and grows and loses touch with why he started playing football in the first place.