The documentary feel of the film drives home the message of "it's just a game, guys!"
Comment
10/11/04
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 Oscar®-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
as a football movie it scores, but as a drama that goes beyond the field and into the lives of the characters playing the game, it falls short of becoming a champ.
10/11/04
With the exception of Debbie Does Dallas, this is the best sports movie I have ever seen.
10/11/04
(Billy Bob) Thornton and (Lucas) Black (who could mature into a true acting force) are magnificent together as the young, unsure quarterback and his caring coach/mentor.
10/11/04
Tells an engrossing story with such conviction and honesty, embedded in a surplus of stylistic flourishes, that it becomes one of the best sports movies in recent memory.
10/10/04
Does a terrific job of showing the competitive nature of not just the kids but their parents and the pressure put on teenagers to perform...
10/10/04
Sometimes, life just isn't fair. And "Friday Night Lights" takes that right out onto the field.
10/09/04
It is admirable how the movie delves into the psychology of a pathological need to win. A fantastic film.
10/09/04
A routine, rah-rah sports movie.
10/09/04
We don’t need a movie reinforcing that high school is the best time in your life because it’s not. If it was for you, get out there and do something more.
10/08/04
Berg's choice of intense closeups and handheld camerawork gives up the bigness of the game, but in exchange we get up-close-and-personal views of how the players see the game.
10/08/04
Lights will make leave you cheering long after you digest its unflattering portrait of small-town obsession.
10/08/04
A poignant celebration and a chilly condemnation of the high school gridiron as God's country.
10/08/04
Director Berg uses a smart blend of constantly moving camera and gritty film stock to give the film a documentary feel that's both engaging and perfectly suited to this story.
10/08/04
There's an interesting movie struggling to get out of Friday Night Lights, but every time it tries it gets rushed and tackled.
10/08/04
This film deserves a stronger, unifying theme.
10/08/04
People who like sports movies will love Friday Night Lights, but so will people who don't like sports movies and would never think of seeing a high school football game.
10/08/04
What curdles the film beyond rescue by good acting and rousing action is the relentless emphasis on how warlike and painful football can be.
10/08/04
Delivers first-rate football action.
10/08/04
These kids are not fighting the power, much as they or you might want to believe it.
10/08/04
Latest News for Friday Night Lights
August 08, 2008:
Play Ball With RT's Top Sports Movies!
It's a busy time in the sports universe: the Olympics are underway, baseball's pennant races are heating up, and NFL players are in the midst of training camp. (Oh, and Shaq and... More...
December 23, 2007:
Peter Berg Confirmed to Direct New Dune Film
Score another one for the rumor mill: Peter Berg has been confirmed as the director of a new Dune. More...
October 16, 2007:
And the Possible Dune Remake's Director Might Be...
A few weeks ago, we discussed a CHUD report about Frank Herbert's Dune possibly heading back to the big screen. Now, according to Ain't It Cool News, some of the details... More...
June 05, 2007:
Scott Porter Signs On for a "Speed Racer" Role
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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