Filmmakers Jon and Andrew Erwin do an excellent job in portraying a story that is so incredible, you couldn’t script it for fiction if you tried. It stars Zachary Levi, who I know from the TV series “Chuck,” and, while obviously a bit old to be Warner, does a great job at making the viewer want the character to succeed.
The film starts in the small town of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Warner is the quarterback for Northern Iowa University; a small unheralded school that produces zero NFL caliber players. As any fairytale will go, Warner continues to keep his nearly impossible dream alive. He plays for the Arena League, and eventually gets to the pros.
Unbelievable Story
I loved the way Warner’s story is told. He has always seemed like a nice guy, even though (as an Eagles fan) I hated him and the Rams because they were so good. I was always driven to the part of the lore that saw Warner stocking shelves (like me) at a grocery store after being passed up by every team in the draft (not like me). Even as a player, it’s interesting to see that he wasn’t always great.
Touching Love Story offsets the Football
“American Underdog” has a lot of football in its 112 minute run time. Not to say its only for diehard fans. The Erwin Brothers – and to a degree the story itself – make it entertaining for any audience. As we discover, the only thing Warner loves more than football is family. The biography does well including the touching love story of Warner and wife Brenda (Anna Paquin) – a working class single mother who doesn’t seem the typical romantic interests of a jock. In fact, the family portions make up more time than the football aspect, and it creates a great balance.
The Erwin’s include plenty of exposition that will keep things easily explained for the casual observer. And we even get Dennis Quaid as the legendary coach, Dick Vermeil. For the rabid football fans, there are plenty of cameos from the players of that era. You’ll feel the touch of nostalgia with the names and faces of late 90s football.
I knew the story from being an avid football fan. Star quarterback gets injured, no-name backup takes over and wins the Superbowl. You couldn’t make this stuff up. That’s why Nick Foles needs a movie of his own. As for “American Underdog” it’s a compelling story on its own.
“American Underdog” is currently available to rent on Amazon.
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