This is quite simply an amazing film.
For starters, the acting performance by Aaron Eckhart as legendary head coach Darrell Royal is spot on. He got his mannerisms, speech patterns and facial expressions down-pat, and in doing all of that he got the spirit of Coach Royal almost perfectly portrayed.
Secondly, Finn Wittrock makes the character of Freddie Steinmark very believable. He portrayed him as a flawed, fallible human being with a desire to prove himself and willing to do whatever it took to overcome any challenge...even when that challenge was his life.
Finally, the incredible attention to detail to even the finest points. I have a copy of the 1969 Texas game vs. Arkansas in my home video library: let me assure you when they replicated the football action in that game, they did so with EXTREME accuracy....even down to a shot of a Longhorn Band member cheering on the team just before a big play in the game! Add in the charming performance of Juston Street as his father James Street, and the beautiful Sarah Bolger, and you've got a wonderful film. Freddie himself would be humbled and touched.
This film explores themes of courage and overcoming adversity that should inspire anyone even if you're not a football fan.
10/10 stars.
For starters, the acting performance by Aaron Eckhart as legendary head coach Darrell Royal is spot on. He got his mannerisms, speech patterns and facial expressions down-pat, and in doing all of that he got the spirit of Coach Royal almost perfectly portrayed.
Secondly, Finn Wittrock makes the character of Freddie Steinmark very believable. He portrayed him as a flawed, fallible human being with a desire to prove himself and willing to do whatever it took to overcome any challenge...even when that challenge was his life.
Finally, the incredible attention to detail to even the finest points. I have a copy of the 1969 Texas game vs. Arkansas in my home video library: let me assure you when they replicated the football action in that game, they did so with EXTREME accuracy....even down to a shot of a Longhorn Band member cheering on the team just before a big play in the game! Add in the charming performance of Juston Street as his father James Street, and the beautiful Sarah Bolger, and you've got a wonderful film. Freddie himself would be humbled and touched.
This film explores themes of courage and overcoming adversity that should inspire anyone even if you're not a football fan.
10/10 stars.