American Underdog (2021)

American Underdog (2021)

A football crowd-pleaser that fully embraces the rhythms of an inspirational sports drama

6.9

Movie

United States of America
English
Drama, Family
2021
ANDREW ERWIN, JON ERWIN
Adam Baldwin, Anna Paquin, Beau Hart
112 min

What it's about

The true story of Kurt Warner, who went from a stockboy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback.

The take

Even if it follows nearly every trick in the playbook, American Underdog positions itself on a big enough scale that makes it work like a charm anyway. Following the story of legendary undrafted NFL quarterback Kurt Warner (Zahcary Levi), the film elevates its familiar beats through stunning, wide-angle football sequences that make the sport feel as thrilling as ever, and a particularly solid performance from Anna Paquin, as Warner's long-suffering partner. But what ultimately becomes American Underdog's real secret weapon is the fact that this isn't a sports movie about skill, strategy, or success; Warner becomes an inspiring figure because of how long he had to persevere with his dream just barely out of reach.

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