DRAFT DAY…3.2***

This is a good but not great sports movie and serves as a  great vehicle for Kevin Costner to do what he does best. As you may recall Costner has had some major hits in some classic sports movies… “Durham Bulls” “Field of Dreams” and” For the Love of the Game”., The movie takes place entirely on NFL Draft Day as Costner's character, the Cleveland Browns' General Manager, pulls off a huge trade early in the day with the Seattle Seahawks, and the "big prize" is a big-named quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy. He has only hours to decide what to do … to keep him or go for other players he may think are a better fit for the team.  After doing some other wheeling and dealing during the last hours…..even  last minutes , Costner finally does what he thinks is best for the team which along the way produces even more suspenseful surprises.

 

“Draft Day takes full advantage of telling an engaging behind-the-scenes story using the America’s most popular sport and it’s league ( THE NFL !!!!).  The film might appear to be one giant commercial for the NFL, but thankfully it turns out to be a well-scripted, charming and exciting sports movie.” Draft Day” is a fun-loving popcorn flick through and through and with the kind of perfectly balanced story that draws people to the movies. It  incorporates just enough drama, subtly places humor in stressful situations, and fulfills  its promise to unveil a compelling mystery. It starts a little slow but quickly picks up the pace so that during the last 20 minutes or so you will  be glued to your seat and guessing how the heck it will work out. For anyone that loves football, or any big time sports, or is interested in the power-play politics that go on  behind the scene, you'll have a fun time watching this film.

 

Frank Langella as the bombastic team owner is excellent. Ellen Burstyn as Costner’s Mom,  Denis Leary as the agonizing team coach, and Jennifer Garner as Costner’s romantic interest are also entertaining as are all the other cast members. Holding it all together is Costner. He is just as great as ever and was born for this role. A real  downside to the movie is the lack of any real chemistry between Costner and Garner.

 

It is rated PG-13 for some rough language and sexual content.

 

Clark.