| Overall Grade: |
B |
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| Story: |
B- |
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| Acting: |
B- |
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| Direction: |
B+ |
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| Visuals: |
B+ |
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A Solid Effort That Avoids the Usual Mistakes
by Jersey Joe (movies profile)
Nov 5, 2007
11
of
11 people found this review helpful
It's always tough to make a film about events that actually happened. The audience usually knows the outcome and in Hollywood they usually embarass themselves by embellishing the truth that undermines the inspirational story they are attempting to sell. This sin is most prevalent in sports films.
In "Rudy" for example, Rudy is shown making a tackle on the last play of the last home game, which did not happen. This embellishment tells the viewer that it was not enough for Rudy to merely stick it out through four years of going to practice to get in for just one play on the field at Notre Dame, that the real Rudy must have failed because he didn't actually make a tackle.
Likewise, in "Cinderella Man," it is not enough that Jim Braddock goes from the soup lines and begging for money to winning the heavyweight title, the guy he beats has to be evil. Max Baer was a fun loving boxer and was never reported to have acted like the Max Baer in the movie.
"Invincible" avoids such nonsense. Vince Pepale's journey from thirty year-old bartender to NFL particpant is remarkable and inspiring. I'm sure there is dialogue that was made up and perhaps a couple of scenes that did not occur, but there is no embellishment in regards to Pepale's accomplishments on the field.
Mark Wahlberg is a likable guy and that's what the film needs Pepale to be. Greg Kinnear is very good as Coach Dick Vermeil and the film does a good job of catching the feeling of the grungy and depressing South Philly of the mid 1970's.
The football action is impressive as the speed gets amped in the NFL action to indicate the difference in the speed of the pro game from what many see on television. My only technical complaint is that the film version of old Veterans Stadium in Philly looks much nicer than the real thing ever did and the turf in the film looks nothing like the ugly and dangerous stuff that was really there. That's a nitpick from someone who remembers the old Vet as hellhole, not a field of dreams.
The film is predictable, but charming. The people come off as real as does the story because the filmmakers knew the story could stand on its own merit. I don't mean to ruin it for you, but the film does not end with Vince Pepale being carrie doff the field after a last second victory in the championship game. That's fiction. His real story is much better. |
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