DRAFT DAY – The Review

A sign of a good sports film is if the audience enthusiastically cheers during a film like a crowd at a live sporting event. That’s exactly what happened when I went to see Ivan Reitman’s DRAFT DAY. The theater was into every second as the film counted down the minutes to the big event. For football fans, the NFL draft signals the start of the new season as predictions and expectations are quickly assigned to each team after the new recruits are signed on. Depending on your love of the game, you may be able to look past some of the more predictable elements of the script and view DRAFT DAY as an acceptable entry into the sports film genre.

Sonny Weaver Jr. (Kevin Costner) is on a mission to get the best pick for his club the Cleveland Browns. If only it was so simple. In the hours leading up to the big night he has his boss and team owner (Frank Langella), the head coach (Denis Leary), and his co-worker and secret lover (Jennifer Garner) all telling him what to do.  Does he go with the much-hyped college quarterback that is expected to be the #1 draft pick?  Does he go with a passionate defenseman who is hoping to financially support his young boy? Or what about the player who is trying to make his proud father happy by also playing for the Browns? This is only the beginning of Sonny’s day as new problems and issues continue to mount as the deadline for the NFL draft inches closer.

It doesn’t take long for the film to remind you of the 2011 film MONEYBALL. That film was elevated to more than just another sports film due to Steve Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin’s nuanced script. Baseball almost takes a backseat to a world that is more akin to that of a political arena. On the surface, DRAFT DAY could be described as the football version of the same scenario as Kevin Costner sits in as the Brad Pitt character. But DRAFT DAY is much more interested in aiming for the heart than the head. Metaphors and symbolism are traded in for humor and relationship drama. The film as a whole feels light and easygoing, almost to the point of hindering everything that is at stake by the end of the film. Fans of the sport will no doubt love watching the off-the-field interactions and seeing there favorite teams mentioned in jokes – especially since the NFL are quite strict with approving the use of their name and teams. Even if you’re not a die-hard football junkie, DRAFT DAY still serves as a nice film that is able to breeze by and hold your interest.

Ivan Reitman (GHOSTBUSTERS, STRIPES) utilizes his own play clock counting down from 12 hours to the draft ceremony. This visual cue is a great way to keep the audience along for the ride with Costner. However, the same cannot be said for Reitman’s constant use of split screens and other visual tricks like having actors cross in front of the split screen. It gives the film a television series feel right from the onset. At first it just feels contrived, but after watching it another half a dozen times you begin to feel this is a crutch to make the film feel more exciting.

Kevin Costner seems made to play this role. I often forget about him as an actor due to his lack of recent work but his presence adds some much needed weight to the film. He guides the film along in such a natural way that you even look past some of the story elements that don’t work as well.  His love story with Garner feels half-baked and his mother’s mournful rage for a loved one is tacked on towards the end and never gels with the rest of the plot.  That being said, DRAFT DAY still serves as a carefree way to get through a Sunday afternoon until the 2014 football season kicks off. A few late in the game twists will make audiences cheer and seeing Costner act as a capable leader for the whole team makes DRAFT DAY an easy win for football fans.

3 out of 5 stars

Photo: Dale Robinette  © 2013 Summit Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved