Directed By Kyle Marvin

Starring – Lily Tomlin, Sally Field, Jane Fonda

The Plot – The movie is inspired by the true story of 4 best friends and New England Patriots fans who take a life-changing trip to Super Bowl LI to see their hero Tom Brady play, and the chaos that ensues as they navigate the wilds of the biggest sporting event in the country.

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language, some drug content and some suggestive references

80 FOR BRADY | Official Trailer (2023 Movie) – YouTube

POSITIVES

Aside from this movie looking like a spoof skit from Saturday Night Live during its marketing trailers, the end result is a surprising amount of heart and ample accuracy for laughs that at the very least makes this an easy engagement for 93 minutes of rapid fire storytelling. It helps that each member of this four woman group receives their own respective subplot, complete with persistence in unraveling as the film proceeds, but what’s most important is the exuding bond that each of them share that does lead to a sweetly sincere side to the movie’s personality that I did appreciate in balance during some pretty silly awkwardness. Because of such, the film transcends the sports gimmick, and instead solidifies itself as a film about friendship, and one that based on the intergrity of the performances made this film both as good as it could’ve possibly been, as well as better than it rightfully should’ve been. Each of the fabulous foursome hands in a memorable turn, supplanting plenty of memorable opportunities for each to shine, while appraising them consistently as a team, instead of individuals. As for the laughs themselves, the punchlines are a bit predictable by a consistency in material that remains a bit one-note, but it’s the biggest testament to Tomlin, Moreno, Field and Fonda that they sell them accordingly with energy and confidence that takes the gags miles, leading to more effectiveness in execution than I had in other comedies like “House Party” or “Shotgun Wedding” already this year. Finally, much credit goes to the production for paying top dollar to use actual NFL films footage in the play through of the big game. As to where other sports films often attempt to recreate memorable moments in ways that come across as cheaply artificial, the editing of real game footage here translates seamlessly to the sequencing of events being conveyed in the foreground of the ladies narrative, feeling a bit self-indulgent, sure, based entirely on the spectacle of the depiction, prescribing compelling believability and a big screen sizzle for the integrity of the movie’s presentation nonetheless, affording it easier accessibility than ever to comprehend and follow along to the drama and dynamic of the game, even if you’re not the hardcore football enthusiast that these lady protagonists are.

NEGATIVES

Complaining about issues in a movie starring four sweet elderly women living out their Super Bowl dreams seems like a crumudgeon move if there ever was one, however a few integral issues ultimately kept this film from playing hard for four quarters, leaving it a mediocre exercise in momentary cinematic escapism at best. The first and most troubling to me is the complete lack of long term stakes or compelling drama to go with the abundance of conflicts that the film continuously unloads on us. If the film is going to introduce aspects that make us care with concern about the well-being of these characters, then why not draw it out a little longer to let that feeling of uncertainty linger with our investments. The script unanimously opts against this, with conveniences that get downright silly by the midway point, and just when it introduces a new log to throw to the fire, it hoses it off with immediate resolution in the following scene that makes me wonder why they even bothered in the first place. Aside from this, the film is heavily predictable, often showing its hand too early and often during moments of heavy-handed exposition that pulls elements out of nowhere that anyone could see being reincorporated back into the story, from a mile away. This is often the biggest problem with the humor because it felt like I often laughed before the punchline could even materialize, knowing exactly where the gags were going to land at all times, especially during dialogue that feels like it added nothing to the film except to introduce a plot device to get us to the next scene. Such an example exists with two identical pill bottles given to Moreno’s character, with one explained as sleepy pills and the other explained as a double dose of speed. What do you see happening here? Finally, the film is burdened with a party bag of cliches and endless tropes that it uses in reaching for the lowest hanging fruit of creativity imaginable. Third act distancing? CHECK, mindless background characters whose only intention are to make the ladies look wiser? CHECK, barrage of celebrity cameos meant to instill energy and excitement to the repetitive formula? CHECK. If this film didn’t continuously leave its expectations dragging by the ground of the wayside, then it really could’ve triumphed as something above average, but as it stands it’s the definition of one and done on the watch tally, a fact that it feels too proud to influence.

OVERALL
“80 For Brady” has the heart of an underdog, and the charisma of a superstar, but too often its short-term dramatic stakes and telegraphed humor keeps it from going all the way, leaving its fabulous foursome carrying the load on a team that continuously backsteps its progress. Even still, the charm and sincerity of its sentiments are there to spin a success story, and one garnered prominently by the value of friendship, which motivates us to go further and drive deeper for the people who play for us every day.

My Grade: 6/10 or C