Opening with a pointless and generic quote from famed Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi,
this Oliver Stone American sports drama was released a week before Y2K - and almost doubled
its $55 million dollar budget.
Oscar-winner and perpetual yeller Al Pacino leads a massively talented ensemble cast in
what quite frankly features some of the worst performances of their successful careers.
His character does little more than moan and grunt at the other characters, propelling
the few bits of exposition the picture has with unashamed bluntness.
Dennis Quaid, Cameron Diaz, James Woods, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J, and Aaron Eckhart all chew
through the dialog with such anger and resentment, it's almost as if they're aware the film is
emotionally empty.
Ostensibly, the story follows Foxx's rise to fame as a third-string quarterback who
quickly rises to fame and success both on and off the field: but it's hard to root for
such a greedy, disrespectful and narcissistic character who shows little depth or remorse
for his selfish actions.
Meanwhile, the veteran Quaid is literally, figuratively sidelined for most of the picture:
given little to do but complain in the background.
At a painfully long two hours and 42 minutes, this fast-moving, but still extremely bloated
motion picture is presented in with jittery close-ups, over-used slow-motion, repeat shots,
all stitched-together with hyper-kinetic editing: featuring over 3,000 cuts in total.
As if Stone was suffering from ADHD while high on cocaine, the almost nauseating execution
here is entirely unmotivated, and immensely distracting: making the few moments of genuine
enjoyment in this picture a bit of a chore to experience.
Unable to secure rights to any real logos or uniforms, this pro-football story features
a pathetically fictional "AFFA" league with goofy names like the "Albuquerque Aztecs",
and the "Houston Cattlemen": make it rather difficult to ever take this picture seriously.
One ridiculous scene has a nameless background player releasing a live alligator into the
locker-room...
I suppose this scene is supposed to endear us to the undeveloped team's fun-loving antics,
but honestly, it just seems incredibly unbelievable, stupid, and irresponsible.
The occasional touchdown drive is momentarily exciting, but for a film that focuses far
too much on football, without providing any context or character development, it's hard
to stay invested.
A hurried epilogue all but glosses over the fact that the team ends up losing the big
championship game anyway, cheating the audience out of a proper ending.
When the film slows down just long enough, the wide anamorphic frame provides for some
nice shots with bright colors and vivid details.
But with an uninteresting and boring script, constant swears and shouting, and a bland
soundtrack: this R-rated picture is rarely dramatic or enjoyable.
A film I nearly forgot almost before the end credits were over, this is a huge waste of
talent I don't think I'll ever watch again.
Hardcore NFL fans, or those fond of the uniform customization options in football video games
might find something to enjoy here, but honestly, "Any Given Sunday" is a "Colossally tepid.
Barely redeemable thrills."
That was my scathing review, now let's check out what you had to say in the YouTube comments
of last week's video.
Any Given Sunday... a FIVE and a TWO.
Of the limited reviews, your feelings were mixed: some enjoyed the performances: but
you bemoaned the long-run time, and boring delivery, you thought it was just alright.
The unrealistic plot, and hyper-distracting presentation was annoying, and the plot lacked
any real depth or memorable moments.
Definitely not a picture I'd recommend watching, and a surprise disappoint from Stone who is
usually far more capable.
I thought it was bad.