American Underdog
No one wins alone....
If you're looking for inspirational people in your world, there is no better subject than Kurt Warner. As a huge NFL fan and an attendee of the Super Bowl in which Warner brought the Cardinals to the very edge of a win (in one of the greatest Super Bowls ever played by anyone's measure), I was profoundly moved by AMERICAN UNDERDOG.
Warner's sports life is certainly here, well documented and thrillingly told. Deftly intercutting new dramatized footage and actual game footage, the uplifting football moments abound, they thrill and gave me goosebumps.
The real emotional resonance of the film lives in the off the field moments of Kurt's life. It helps that he's embodied by the perfectly cast Zachary Levi (Tangled, Shazam!) He IS Kurt Warner. Narrating the film and starting with Warner's youngest days of poverty with his single Mom, we see the building blocks of the man, and the passion for football that started in his youth.
We then move forward to his college days at the University of Northern Iowa, where he excelled, but not in a venue that lends itself to pro visibility. I loved the scenes of Warner creating his own game tapes, knowing that none of the scouts would ever see him live.
Meanwhile, the hyper focused Kurt is dragged to a country western barn by his best friend Mike (Ser'Darius Blain) where he's instantly fascinated by the girl on the dance floor, Brenda (Anna Paquin). They seem to be an ill fit, but Warner is smitten.
The middle of the film traces the powerful roots of the couple. Brenda has two kids from a folded marriage, including a blind son Zack, touchingly played by young Hayden Zaller. Brenda is used to men running when they find out she has kids, especially kids with special needs, but Kurt's bond with the children is immediate. Paquin is genuine and touching as Brenda.
Under the hand of Directors Andrew & Jon Erwin, who have gone on to faith based film fame with movies like "Young Washington", the film is much more than a sports tale, but when it does focus back on football, it does so perfectly, with a great cast.
Bruce McGill (Animal House, My Cousin Vinny) is hilarious as Arena League team owner Jim Foster, who tries for months to court a very reluctant Warner to play Arena football. His offer to pay Kurt by the touchdown may break him.
Chance Kelly (Unbreakable) is relentless as Rams offensive coach Mike Martz, who wants absolutely nothing to do with this too old dude who played at a tiny school and dominated Arena (that ain't the NFL) football.
Dennis Quaid is inspiring as Rams Head Coach Dick Vermeil, who's also being told he's too old and out of touch when he arrives at the Rams. Quaid and Levi's scenes together are powerful moments, with two great actors creating sports legends on the big screen.
One of the greatest attributes of any film is the power to inspire. The film goes beyond that measure, it's deeply heartfelt and powerfully uplifting. Warner and Brenda's commitment to family & faith is hugely admirable, wherever you are on the religious spectrum.
Kurt is a fine human, oozing kindness and caring.
I had the chance to share a flight to Cabo randomly with Brenda years ago, she was quirky, powerful and 100% her own. I also shared a separate flight with Kurt on his way to Philadelphia to announce an NFL game. I shook his hand and told him how much he meant to our late daughter and that he'd provided the greatest sports moment of my own life in Tampa Bay at that Super Bowl, perfectly delivering that ball to Larry Fitzgerald to take the lead with moments left in the fourth quarter.
He was everything you'd expect. Kind, warm and grateful.
It's the way he lives and has always lived his life.
We all have AMERICAN UNDERDOG on film to tell his story and inspire future generations. It's a testament to a life well lived, one of the greatest underdog sports stories in history and how human kindness can impact the masses.
Well done and thank you, Mr. Warner. You and the film get an A+
Loved, loved, loved this movie!