There's nothing particularly universal or relevant about this place- and sport-specific ode to American football. Although it's a gripping and watchable true story.
Comment
04/18/05
Friday Night Lights (2004)
81
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:162
Fresh:132
Rotten:30
Average Rating:7.2/10
Consensus: An acute survey of the football-obsessed heartland that succeeds as both a stirring drama and a rousing sports movie.
Theatrical Release:13-05-2005
Synopsis: From OscarŽ-winning producer Brian Grazer and Imagine Entertainment and based on the best-selling book about high school football by H.G. Bissinger, Friday Night Lights chronicles the entire 1988... [More]
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Tim McGraw, Derek Luke, Jay Hernandez
Director: Peter Berg
Reviews for Friday Night Lights
Had Billy Bob Thornton not been so good in so many films, people would be talking about this as his greatest role.
07/31/08
Top CriticThe best sports movie for years, as it's not about sport at all. Forget fears of jingoistic grandstanding, this is an un-American all-American tale that deserves attention.
04/01/06
Top CriticIts script is pure corn, drenched in syrupy sentiment and topped with prize ham in the shape of Billy Bob Thornton's tub-thumping coach.
05/10/05
Top CriticThornton anchors the film with his understated but no less effective performance but the stand-out is Derek Luke (Antwone Fisher) - the scene where he finally realises that his football career is over is truly heartbreaking to watch.
05/14/05
The affecting, gruelling result is less a document of recreational sport than one of obligation and ordeal.
06/24/06
Top CriticFor high school football fanatics, this is a touchdown.
10/05/04
As someone who normally finds football about as exciting as golf, I was often on the edge of my seat, particularly during the climactic championship game.
11/18/04
The movie's principles are seriously out of whack, even as it angles toward a Big Life Lesson about learning to live with falling short of greatness.
05/26/06
Electric, witty, sad and wise.
10/08/04
Few films have shown so powerfully the slashing double edge of sports fever.
11/01/07
Football flick that will have you crying like a little baby. Powerfully directed, well-written with stalwart acting. However, gritty audio/visual may abrade.
10/06/04
a good film, but it is preaching to the converted
09/03/05
As you watch this film, you gradually begin to realize that it's not delivering the emotional highs of the genre, and is going to a different place entirely.
10/07/04
A powerful and poignant ode to the heartache and thrill of the game.
10/05/04
Viewers will be able to read into the do-or-die philosophy whatever they choose, and in the meantime simply enjoy this big-screen ode to the madness.
10/19/04
If you're not a football fan, Friday Night Lights won't make you one, but if you are, it will give you a good deal more to think about than your average gridiron flick.
10/07/04
You will watch as though you've been rooting for the Panthers your entire life. The movie is that good.
10/07/04
An emotionally fulfilling experience.
10/07/04
The games are dynamically filmed...but they lack credibility as players on both teams are obviously on a script and big plays are stage-managed to a ridiculous degree.
10/06/04
Latest News for Friday Night Lights
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June 05, 2007:
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Fans of TV's "Friday Night Lights" may be familiar with actor Scott Porter. Movie fans will see him in next year's "Speed Racer" adaptation. More...
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