by Heath Lynch, Contributing Writer
While it may not be a Christmas tradition for some, for many others the game of football is intrinsically linked to the holiday. There’s always a game to enjoy after opening Santa’s presents and gorging on cookies. This year, the tradition rolls over to the silver screen with the release of American Underdog, a biopic based on the early career struggles of Kurt Warner, a celebrated MVP, Super Bowl Champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback. It’s also a movie steeped in faith as Warner is a devoutly religious individual. So does this movie score a touchdown? While it may fumble the ball once or twice, Zach Levi’s charisma rallies American Underdog into being a solid inspirational sports drama. As a jaded St. Louis Rams fan who remembers watching Warner’s rise and infamous Super Bowl win back when I was in high school over 20 years ago, this movie reminded me of a time where I loved this game. Though I’m still bitter ever since the league stole my team away, this movie managed to melt bits of my cold heart.
Warner was a kid who always knew what he wanted to do with his life: he wanted to be a Super Bowl-winning MVP quarterback. That was his only dream, and his life was defined by it. But as he grew up his actions often got in his own way. Whether that was due to not listening to a coach, or real life circumstances, the dream seemed forever out of reach. But when he met Brenda (Anna Paquin) he thought he had at least found love and happiness. Unfortunately, life was quick to throw a monkey wrench into the gears by throwing obstacle after obstacle at Kurt and Brenda’s relationship. Whether it was not having the money to keep the lights on, having to work at a grocery store, being in the military, or playing in the arena football league, it appeared everything was going to always be a struggle. Until one day the St. Louis Rams came calling and, through faith and perseverance, Kurt reached out to obtain his destiny.
What is fate or destiny? Is it what most understand it to be, an inevitable conclusion of predetermination based on actions that are seemingly out of personal control? Or, do we as individuals have the agency to make our life choices, wherein we are not victim to the whims of an ulterior power, but instead actively forge forward in the construction of our own lives? American Underdog directly tackles these positions and decides to split the difference, stating both are correct. Destiny exists, and faith can empower you to fulfill your destiny with righteous personal choice. That might be a tough pill for some to swallow, but that pill is wrapped in leather a pig skin in this inspirational football drama, which makes it much more digestible. But I want to be upfront about the aspects of faith throughout this film. This movie has several scenes and themes related to Christianity and the belief in an Almighty Creator. I myself am personally an atheist and do not subscribe to such beliefs. However, if it fills your heart and makes your life better, I’m happy for you. But even those who are religious could find the overly religious elements of this film uncomfortable or frustrating to watch. They are not subtle, and they are constantly reinforced.
Beyond the religious elements of the film, the sports elements work decently well. They’re fun, but short lived, as they’re actually not as big a part of the picture as you might perceive. In fact, most of the movie surrounds Warner’s relationship with Brenda. It’s much more of a character study about a man who is constantly attempting to do the right thing. But the football scenes are enjoyable to be sure, especially in the final act when he becomes a part of the Rams as we see cinematic sports scenes shot interjected with television broadcast footage from actual NFL games. There is an element of awe and wonder to the athleticism, and you certainly feel the emotional roller coaster riding the highs and lows between Warner getting sacked versus when he throws a touchdown pass.
As mentioned earlier, it certainly helps that Levi himself is so charismatic in the lead role. He is passionate and good-hearted. He is vigilant in how he treats everyone with compassion and respect, even if they don’t deserve it. He’s also surprisingly more fun than anything as he is never short on jokes and quips. It’s so easy to adore his character. Paquin is also terrific as Brenda, showcasing a real sense of vulnerability and hesitancy in her relationship for fear of being hurt. The barriers she puts up feel natural and relatable, and it only feels all the more special when the two of them inevitably connect and land on the same page as a married couple. Their support of each other and each other’s dreams reads like a wholesome lesson that many should take note of.
There were, however, elements of this story that felt unrealistic. While I understand this is based on a true story and most of these moments happened, it’s still scripted in the sequencing of how we receive this information. The scenes that take place on screen are specifically picked and chosen from Warner’s life and displayed in the order most apropos to delivering a compelling story, even if it doesn’t feel natural. Brenda’s father stating to Kurt that there will be rough times ahead with an immediate smash cut to a scene of the family losing power to the house in the middle of a blizzard, so they abandon the house to go somewhere warm, but then the car runs out of gas, and he hast to run five miles to the gas station to get gas, then run five miles back to refuel the car, and in the meantime his kids are almost dying in the blizzard, and just, wow… Again, I’m not saying this didn’t happen. In fact, Warner has gone on record that it did happen. But when you smash cut sequences of this nature, it breeds an air of phoniness. It feels a bit too cute, too Hollywood. It makes the genuinely inspirational true story feel manufactured.
I also have to say that this film impacts me personally as I remember experiencing these events as a fan of the Rams. As a St. Louis resident, I was too young to remember the Cardinals moving to Arizona. For all intents and purposes, the Rams were my team. I attended the Rams’ first game that they ever played at the TWA Dome, as it was called at the time. I attended the home opener that the Rams played against Baltimore Ravens the year that they won the Super Bowl, the very game depicted in the closing moments of this picture. I watched the television with bated breath as the Rams won the Super Bowl against the Tennessee Titans, my dad having flown down to Atlanta to watch the game live and in person. The Rams were a big part of my life. After their devious and duplicitous owner Stan Kroenke broke the relocation protocols and lied to get the league to move the Rams back to Los Angeles, I was deflated. It was gut wrenching, and it left me heartbroken. Although Kroenke conceded a settlement with the city forking over $760 million, vindicating our grievances ever so slightly, I’m still resentful over the experience. My city will probably never have an NFL team ever again. But for one season over 20 years ago, we were champions, and Warner led us there. We were The Greatest Show on Turf, and I felt a sense of pure joy with regards to my fandom in watching this movie that I have not felt in years since my team relocated. I imagine that any sports fan would be able to find exhilaration in Warner’s stories throughout this movie. The inspiration is there. But if you are a Rams fan, a native of the city scorned by the scorched earth policies against our town, this movie will undoubtedly hold extra weight in your heart.
With my bias aside, this is a good movie. It has a solid foundation of an inspirational true story, and a good amount of heart to it. Accounting for my bias, this is a truly great experience. If you’re a football fan, especially a Rams fan, be sure to take an American Underdog.
Grade: B-
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