Oliver Stone’s take on the world of pro football scores a few field goals, but is extremely short of a touchdown.
Any Given Sunday (1999)
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Reviews Counted:116
Fresh:56
Rotten:60
Average Rating:5.5/10
Consensus: Sometimes entertaining, but overall Any Given Sunday is a disappointment coming from Oliver Stone.
Runtime: 2 hrs 58 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Oliver Stone delves into his love-hate relationship with pro football in this high-impact film, thriving on the game's adrenaline rush while revealing its ultimate corruption. When legendary Miami... Oliver Stone delves into his love-hate relationship with pro football in this high-impact film, thriving on the game's adrenaline rush while revealing its ultimate corruption. When legendary Miami Sharks quarterback Cap Rooney (Dennis Quaid) is badly injured in a game, coach Tony D'Amato (Al Pacino) is forced to reach deep into his bench for Willie Beamen (Jamie Foxx). The third-stringer's injury-plagued career and difficulty with maintaining focus make him a dubious commodity at best. But Beamen, aware of what this opportunity could mean, starts playing at a much higher level than ever before, planting championship hopes in the minds of Miami fans. The extraordinary success of Beamen, an athlete whose flamboyance contradicts everything the Lombardi-like D'Amato believes about the game, makes the coach wonder whether his time is passing. To add to his problems, Christina Pagniacci (Cameron Diaz), a young woman who has inherited ownership of the team from her late father, is pressuring him to win now, and at any cost. Will D'Amato be able to pull the team together for a final run at the championship? The film conveys a vivid sense of the atmosphere of pro football and features a finely modulated performance by Pacino. [More]
Starring: Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, Jamie Foxx
Starring: Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J, James Woods, Matthew Modine, Ann-Margret, Bill Bellamy, Elizabeth Berkley, Jim Caviezel, Aaron Eckhart, Charlton Heston, Lauren Holly, John C. McGinley, Lela Rochon, Lawrence Taylor
Director: Oliver Stone
Director: Oliver Stone
Screenwriter: Oliver Stone, John Logan
Producer: Dan Halsted, Lauren Shuler Donner, Oliver Stone, Clayton Townsend
Composer: Richard Horowitz
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Reviews for Any Given Sunday
When pressed to say what has changed football from an all-American game into the sleazy business it is today, Stone feebly points a finger at television as the culprit, then wriggles away from the question.
Amidst all the drama, there are comedic moments, such as the Sharks' version of the self-congratulatory end zone dance the Dirty Bird, the metal-vs.-rap locker room debate and the loose crocodile in the shower.
Choc-a-bloc with manly blather about sacrifice and honour and rugged individuals pulling together for the greater glory of the team.
Despite the film's multifarious faults, which also include a truly rotten cameo from Stone himself as a sports commentator, there can be no argument that this is one of the most visually exciting experiences you will have this year...
Oliver Stone finally goes off the deep end with the best Bad Movie in years.
Any Given Sunday may fall on its face a few times during the game, but wouldn't you rather watch a team going recklessly for the touchdown than playing safely for time?
It appears there is something that Oliver Stone does take seriously, besides Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories, and that is football.
Any Given Sunday is merely a routine movie wrapped in an epic's clothing.
Latest News for Any Given Sunday
July 15, 2005:
LL Cool J Finds a Multi-Pic Home at Lions Gate
The Hollywood Reporter brings news of a deal between actor/rapper LL Cool J and Lions Gate Films. Although the exact numbers have not been released, Mr. J (born as: James Todd... More...
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