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FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Review by Gordon Justesen
Stars:
Billy Bob Thornton, Derek Luke, Jay Hernandez, Lucas Black, Garrett Hedlund, Tim
McGraw
Director: Peter Berg
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Surround, Spanish Dolby Surround
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Studio: Universal
Features: See Review
Length: 118 Minutes
Release Date: January 18, 2005
“I
want you to take a moment, and I want you to look each other in the eyes. I want
you to put each other in your hearts forever because forever is about to happen
here in just a few minutes.”
Film
****
In 1988, a high
school football team in Odessa, Texas were facing some pretty incredible odds.
They’re determination to make it all the way to the state championship
resulted in one of the most inspiring sports stories ever told. That story
became a renowned book, and Friday Night
Lights, in addition to being high on my list of the best films of 2004, has
officially earned its spot amongst the greatest sports movies ever made.
Although the film
will strike fans of the game very personally, I seriously feel that you do not
have to be a die hard lover of football in order to get involved in the dramatic
story at hand. The story tells of the Odessa-Permian Panthers, and a crucial
1988 football season that presented some challenging obstacles for the members
of the team, especially the outgoing seniors of the team who are looking for
nothing more than to get out of Odessa. The team bears a huge weight of
responsibility for the town, since Odessa, like so many American towns, is
obsessed with high school football.
The team has what
it takes to make it, especially with cocky star player Boobie Miles (Derek
Luke), whose shot at college and NFL glory is purely foreseeable. For
quarterback Mike Winchell (Lucas Black), the desire to get out of Odessa is
there, but he hesitates at the thought of leaving behind his sick mother. And
for running back Don Billingsley (Garrett Hedlund), the only pressure that
exists is to measure up to his father, Charles (Tim McGraw), who was a star
player twenty years ago, and is now a frequent alcoholic who bullies his son
into becoming an even greater player than he was.
The coach of the
team is Gary Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton, in one of his most outstanding
performances), who is pressured more than anyone to ensure an undefeated winning
season. The pressure comes not just from members of the school board, but fellow
citizens of Odessa, who demand that their home team go all the way to state.
Gaines faces an array of comments and criticism along the way, but handles it in
a calm and graceful manner.
Once the season
gets underway, the team faces a nasty turn when Boobie suffers a major leg
injury in the first game. It’s up to the rest of the team, who were always
used to backing up the unstoppable Boobie, to provide the strengths the team
will need in order to make it to state. With some setbacks along the way, the
Panthers manage to make it farther than people anticipated without Boobie in
tow.
For Boobie, though,
the future that was promised to him seems to have been taken away. He receives
an MRI, showing signs of a bad ligament and indicating that he may not be able
to play the game again anytime soon. A moment where Boobie breaks down to his
uncle about his future being ruined is one that will have your emotions rocked.
There is an
essential element that separates Friday
Night Lights from the traditional sports movie, and it lies with how
director Peter Berg has shot the movie. Along with his cinematographer, Tobias
A. Schliessler, Berg has brought an unconventional approach to telling this
story. The narrative has a near-documentary feel to it, and the result is a
magnificently realized portrait of high school football. The filmmaking approach
to the telling of this story is the factor that I responded to the most.
In addition, the
film has been given a unique score of music. The indie rock band Explosions in
the Sky has executed one of the most incredible and original music scores I’ve
heard in any film. It’s a mellow flow of guitar oriented pieces which don’t
sound like the kind of music you’d hear in a movie about football. The visual
style, storytelling approach, and music score combine to make this a superb
piece of filmmaking.
To sum it up, Friday
Night Lights is both a rousing sports movie, full of raw emotion, in
addition to being a stronger and entirely different type of sports movie. Peter
Berg’s directing takes the material to a whole new level, and the performances
by the entire cast, especially that of Thornton and country singer Tim McGraw in
his acting debut, are top notch and totally effective.
A piece of pure
cinematic power, Friday Night Lights
is sure to be noted as one of the greatest sports movies ever made, just as its
story is already regarded as one of the greatest sports stories ever told.
BONUS TRIVIA:
Director Peter Berg is cousin to Buzz Bissinger, who wrote the book “Friday
Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream”.
ADDED TRIVIA: Billy
Bob Thornton and Lucas Black have acted alongside each other once before. They
were in Sling Blade as Carl and young
Frank.
Video
****
Having been blown
away by the stunning cinematography and directing of the movie when I saw it in
its theatrical run, I had a feeling that this would make an outstanding transfer
to DVD, and I was right! Universal’s anamorphic presentation is without a
doubt the first great looking video job of the new year, that I’ve seen at
least. The images are magnificent to look at in their crisp and clear form,
especially the football sequences. A grand job all the way!
Audio
****
The 5.1 mix
delivers in all sections to make for a most outstanding sounding presentation.
Sound is a big key factor of this movie. First off, there is the power of the
mellow score by Explosions in the Sky, then there are the game sequences, which
deliver the sound power that is expected…and more. Dialogue is extremely well
delivered, and numerous set pieces, especially ones involving crowds, are superb
high points, as well.
Features
***1/2
Universal delivers
a good enough package of extras with this release. There’s a commentary track
with Peter Berg and author Buzz Bissinger, as well as Berg’s explanation of a
particular sequence, several deleted scenes, and three featurettes; “Tim
McGraw: Off the Stage”, “Player Cam”, and “The Story of the 1988 Permian
Panthers”.
Summary: