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American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story Movie Review

Name: American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story Movie Review
Item: American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story
Rating: 2.5
Author: Pradip Bhat

American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story Movie Review English Movie Review

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Review for the film " American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story"

Streaming On: Netflix

Runtime: 01 Hour 52 Minutes

Certificate: UA

Released: 25-12-2021

Genre: Drama, Biographical

Similar To: Lying And Stealing, First Cow, Tupperware Unsealed, Somewhere Beautiful

Critic Review
User Review

2.5 / 5.0

3.64 / 5.0

CAST & CREW

Kevin Downes

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Producer:

Kevin Downes

Jon Erwin

Andrew Erwin

Director:

Jon Erwin

Andrew Erwin

Director of Photography:

Kristopher Kimlin

Casting Director:

Tamara Lee Notcutt

Screenplay Writer:

Jon Gunn

Jon Erwin

David Aaron Cohen

Click Here For Full Cast & Crew

American Underdog is a sports biography written and directed by Andrew Erwin and Jon Erwin under the supervision of the man himself, Kurt Warner. This film features Zachary Levi (Kurt Warner), Anna Paquin Anna Helene Paquin was born in Manitoba and raised >> Read More... (Brenda Meoni), Hayden Zaller (Zack), Ser’Darius Blain (Mike Hudnutt), Dennis Quaid Dennis Quaid is born on 9 April in 1954 in Houston >> Read More... (Dick Vermeil), Chance Kelly (Mike Martz), Simeon Castille (Isaac Bruce), Bruce McGill (Jim Foster), Adam Baldwin (Coach Allen), Cindy Hogan (Sue Warner), Dean Denton (David Gillis) and others. John Debney has given the music for this film. The producers of this movie are Mark Ciardi, Sean Devereaux, Kevin Downes Kevin Downes is a native of California. He has a v >> Read More... , Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin, Brent Ryan Green, Jon Gunn, Daryl C. Lefever, Brenda Warner, Kurt Warner, and others. Kristopher Kimlin is the cinematographer of this film. Sean Albertson and Andrew Erwin are the editors of this movie.

Plot

This film is a biographical sketch on the life of two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl Champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback, Kurt Warner. While watching Super Bowl XIX, young Kurt commitments to achieve the highest spot in the same sport. But as he is shown playing his fifth year for the University of Northern Iowa Panthers with Coach Terry Allen, nothing worked as he thought. His coach threatens to bench him if he continues to ignore his instructions. After the coach’s rebuke and strict training, Kurt could see his chance of getting a chance at the Draft. Meanwhile, he also gets attracted to a lady named Brenda, a struggling single mother with two kids. After his final season of college football, he was eagerly awaited for the Draft, but to his disappointment he wasn’t selected. This failure made him question about his capabilities and whether his dream was unobtainable. The further story deals with how such a disheartened guy became a prominent figure in American Football.

Star Performances

The leading cast of the movie “American Underdog” showcases some commendable performances. Zachary as Kurt Warner and Anna as Brenda Warner is the star of the film. Levi effortlessly and efficiently showcased the journey of Warner from a lost and disappointed lad to a star football player and authentically captured his resilience and determination. Paquin adds emotional depth to the film’s narrative with her portrayal of Brenda. She justified her character’s ideals and her stoic nature. While the leading pair delivers astounding performances, the supporting cast lacks in keeping with it.

Analysis

Same as any other sports drama film, “American Underdog” showcases a story of an athlete’s jouney from his lowest to the highest podium of life. It traces the life of Kurt Warner and his inspiring journey from a store stock-boy to an NFL star player. Erwin brothers successfully capture the emotional aspect of Warner’s life and his resilience and determination, but they fail to maintain the same throughout the film. One feels the middle act of the story sluggish, which could have tightened to improve its engagement. Also, the screenplay heavily relied on the emotional part of the story and less on the sporting aspect. The importance of love and support are beautifully engraved in the film’s narrative, but the sport’s technicalities and skills aren’t given the required attention. Also, at times, the well-written dialogues lose their authenticity and effect because of the dramatic sequences. When we talk about the acting performances, the leading actors justified their characters in the movie, however, the supporting cast members felt under developed and underutilized. The cinematography provides a visually stunning film. It skillfully captures from the intense match moments to the emotionally heavy sequences. Also, movie’s high production value adds on its cinematic beauty. The music and background score by Debney enhances the emotional connection of the film. However, there are instances where the background score overpowers the scene and intrudes its emotional significance.

What’s There?

The movie presents a skillful adaptation of an inspiring story.
The brilliant performance of the leading actors holds the audience.
The film brilliantly executes the heavy-duty football sequences.
Visually fascinating cinematography enhances the overall movie-watching experience of viewers

What’s Not There?

The predictable storyline of the film is a major drawback.
The movie fails to add depth to some supporting characters.
The film is filled with melodramatic sequences, which distracts the audience from main storyline.
The pacing issues, at times make the movie sluggish.

Verdict

“American Underdog” offers a motivating and an emotional story that traces the inspiring journey of NFL superstar Kurt Warner. The film beautifully teaches the importance of human relationships and the supportive nature of the family in life. In today’s generation of social media and hook-up culture, this movie showcases the purity of humane treatment and the power of discipline and determination.