Directed By Andrew and Jon Erwin

Starring – Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin, Hayden Zaller

The Plot – Tells the inspirational true story of Kurt Warner (Levi), who went from a stockboy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback. The film centers on Warner’s unique story and years of challenges and setbacks that could have derailed his aspirations to become an NFL player, but just when his dreams seemed all but out of reach, it is only with the support of his wife, Brenda (Paquin) and the encouragement of his family, coaches, and teammates that Warner perseveres and finds the strength to show the world the champion that he already is.

Rated PG for some adult language and thematic elements

American Underdog (2021 Movie) Official Trailer – Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin, and Dennis Quaid – YouTube

POSITIVES

Make no mistake about it, “American Underdog” is a movie that features sports, but not a sport movie. It attains this certification as a result of the unabashed focus given to the film’s heart-warming center, in the love story between Kurt and Brenda, which in turn cements more of the alluring dramatic impulses that feels all the more nourishing than those taking place during games. The football side of things, while endearing as a result of the invasive cinematography from Kristopher Kimlin, which keeps the game footage from feeling cheap or repetitive in its depiction, is the side of things that I previously already knew, so I appreciated that the script remained faithful to the true center of Kurt’s universe, which in turn crafted no shortage of surprises for the elements of his story that I truly didn’t know. Many sports stories establish themselves as underdogs stories, but Kurt feels deserving towards such a labeling, defying the odds both in and out of the game repeatedly in a way that wholeheartedly illustrates his grit and determination, but above all else the love that resides from within for his family, and outlining a protagonist that is impossible not to get behind. This is also due in part to the charming personality of Levi distributed at the forefront of the narrative, as well as the dynamic chemistry he supplants with Paquin in a romance that is every bit believable in humility as it is resilient with the constant untimely adversity it continuously faces. It also helps that the movie isn’t afraid to get its hands dirty with sitcom-level humor, that, while predictable, does present moments of earned levity to keep the film from ever feeling too grim in a story ripe with inspiration. But with a movie fronted and directed by the same production team who helmed “I Can Only Imagine” and “I Still Believe”, is it able to keep its hands respectable with the aspect of its religion it periodically disperses? The answer is a surprising yes, as the film not only keeps its mentions classy in the manifestations from the opportunities it springs from, but also doesn’t use it as a crutch to push the narrative forward, creating a refreshing balance that doesn’t alienate those in the audience who are here for other topics and experiences.

NEGATIVES

Unfortunately, a story so compelling in the depth of mounting stakes and circumstances is marred by an overall rushed execution in the storytelling that not only limits the build and payoff of tension between key events in the lives of the Warners’, but also reduces the screenplay to a series of unflattering key notes. This is especially prominent in the complete lack of downtime moments between life-altering events, which are often used to advance the characterization, but the absence of such here, as well as the unexplained passage of time, makes it feel like the cliff notes version to a story that feels geared towards a possible two hour run time. Such a result is given in the film’s climax, which takes place during Warner’s first NFL game, instead of the triumphant Super Bowl victory at the end of the same season. This feels like a tragic misstep in a film marred by questionable decisions, especially when Warner’s completely lends itself to the fairy tale ending that these movies have created a fictional formula off of. Speaking of formula, the experience is unable to rid itself of the formulaic leftovers in soundbite dialogue and bland structure that feels too derivative of prior films that did it better. On the former, lines like coaches saying things like “You don’t have what it takes” only moments before he has what it takes, are ripe for satirical spoofing, especially in the distraction of Levi’s casting occasionally interfering with my believability of him in the role. Seriously, we are supposed to believe that this guy is 20-25 years younger than the coaches who inspire him? Give me a break. Aside from this, there’s missing pieces from the initial set-up that feel left on the cutting room floor, like Warner’s lack of relationship from an absentee father. I would normally write this off as a case of nothing to say in a dynamic with little to no memories between them. However, the film frequently brings this mysterious father up casually along the way, feeling like it’s building towards something substantial before it doesn’t.

OVERALL

“American Underdog” unfortunately revels in the same cliches and predictable traits of superior sports biopics, but never in a way that completely sacks its progress. The gutsy approach to focus this narrative more towards the relationship of Kurt and Brenda, instead of the gridiron, is one that pays off immensely for its tender sentiment, made all the more appreciative with a subdued religious propaganda and duo of likeable leads that continuously target your heart and connect every single time.

My Grade: 6/10 or C