Any Given Sunday
Directed by Oliver Stone.
Starring Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx,
Dennis Quaid, James Woods and more.
Stone’s latest film is his most mainstream effort yet. A simple genre film with a simple enough storyline, lots of action and a few laughs. What drags it above the level of the average football film is the style. My hero Ollie is one of the most stylish directors around, and even if the tale of youth challenging age in the realm of professional American football isn’t exactly something to write home about, then at least it’s going to look and sound wonderful. And it does.
Jamie Foxx plays the up and coming quarterback in the (fictional) Miami Sharks, a new breed of player whose loyalty is to his bank balance and sponsors. As the film starts he gets a big break and looks like edging out the 39 year old legend of the team played by Dennis Quaid. Crusty old coach (Al Pacino) isn’t too sure about all of this but ruthless team owner Cameron Diaz is.
And that’s really all you need to know about the storyline. Characters argue and empathise, clash and learn, and eventually come to terms with the world they’re living and playing in. No surprises, except at the end, but one hell of a ride along the way. The games themselves are exquisite warzones, something Stone knows how to handle. While it’s not as satirical, political or abrasive as many of the films he’s famous for, Oliver Stone does a thorough job. He knows it’s just garish entertainment, so he plays it for all it’s worth and that’s one of the film’s saving graces. While it can get a little sentimental at times, or a bit too flashy at others, these small bits pale into comparison when compared to the magnificence of the battles. But don’t take my utterly biased word for it, see it for yourself. You won’t regret it.
Craig
