I need to preface this by saying I am not a sports fan. I have no sworn allegiance to one team or the other. The only sports event I enjoy watching is the Puppy Bowl, and that pretty much requires no skill. Even though I dislike sports, I still know exactly how the game is played, which oddly enough doesn’t matter in the NFL propaganda film that is Draft Day.
Sonny Weaver Jr. (Kevin Costner) is the general manager of the Cleveland Browns football team. Having lost his father (former coach of the Browns) and found out from his soon-to-be girlfriend Ali (Jennifer Garner) that she’s pregnant in the same week, his stress has only begun. Draft day, which means he is basically in charge of picking any new additions to the team this year. This is an important year since Sonny was told by his boss, Anthony Molina (Frank Langella), that if his picks didn’t make a big enough splash, he would be replaced.
In a flustered hurry, he prematurely trades his next 3 first picks for the chance at one of the most promising new players to the game. With less than 12 hours before he must have his final picks chosen, he finds out that his first choice isn’t everything he appears to be. With the clock running out, he must find a way to fix his mistake, juggle his personal life and try to keep his job. It’ll take a miracle… or an unlikely chain of events leading to a predictable, tabulated ending.
The good thing is that even though the NFL had an obvious heavy hand in this film, you don’t need to have an extensive knowledge of the game. You won’t have any reason to see it if you’re not a fan, but if you do, rest assured you’ll understand what is happening, even if you are tired watching it. If you’re a fan though, you will likely understand the insider jokes and references that went over my head, but a few people in the audience caught. The story is basic at best. Every turn the film takes is as predictable as the last. The Disney-esque candy coating put on this film makes their sponsor, the NFL, seem immaculate, despite to all the news-worthy scandals we’ve come to expect from its players. In this film, every criminal is misunderstood, every sinner a misunderstood saint, and every player is a diamond in the rough. I don’t buy it.
Even though this year is only a third of the way through, it has already proven to be a bad one for Kevin Costner. So far, every film he’s be in has been a dud, through no fault of his own. Costner is the saving grace of this film; a Hail Mary pass that pays off while the rest of his team is so far from the endzone that he is the obvious MVP. He brings the character to life with his charm and intensity. Watching him scrambling to the last second to correct his mistakes and save the future of the Cleveland Browns was the best part of the entire film, even if it turned into a ridiculously improbable series of events. The most “original” aspect of the film involves oddly placed and arranged side-by-side framing where they have a limb or two overlap with the next frame. So while Costner is on the phone with another manager, his elbow is in the other managers spot. I did say it was “original”, but I never said it was a good idea.
Draft Day takes an overdone, calculated play from the playbook with expected results. Even though MVP Costner carries the team then whole way, he alone isn’t enough to overcome to the odds and take the team all the way. Maybe next time, Champ.
RATING: ★★★★(4/10 stars)
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