INVINCIBLE

US, 2006, 105 minutes, Colour.
Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, Elizabeth Banks, Kevin Conway, Michael Rispoli, Michael Nouri.
Directed by Ericson Corr.

Invincible is a film about American football. It is so details in its presentation of the ethos, the fans, the practices, the selections, the matches, the plays that it will not be quite intelligible to non-American football fans. The message is, as usual with this kind of sports film, inspirational.

Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg) has played football since he was a boy, did not go to college, plays with his friends. He answers a call when coach Dick Vermeil takes over the Philadelphia Eagles in 1975. He is selected, practises, continued in the team and plays for three seasons – at first sharing the losing streak, then transfixed and unable to move but finally justifying all the faith that his friends from South Philadelphia and the coach have put in him.

The coach is played by Greg Kinnear. At the background is the industrial unrest in Philadelphia in the mid to late 70s, strikes and layoffs, giving some kind of context to the football matches.

1. Audience interest in American football? Its detail? The plays, the tactics, the spirit? The history of football in the late 70s?

2. The South Philadelphia setting, the ordinary homes, the bar, the streets? The world of football, training camp, the football arenas? The media? The musical score?

3. The title, in reference to Vince Papale and his character, his career?

4. The introduction to Vince, as a boy, watching matches with his father? The enthusiasm of the crowd? His father and his long work in the factory, humble origins, ordinary life? His support of his son, pleased to see his final victories?

5. Vince as a young man, temporary teacher, losing his job? His wife criticising him and walking out? His work in the bar to make a living? Playing football with his friends? The close group of friends, meeting at Max’s bar? Max and his support? Janet coming from New York, working in the bar, knowledge of football, support for New York Giants, her having five brothers and comfortable in mixing with this group?

6. The poor seasons of the Philadelphia Eagles? The new coach, his press conference, his relationship with his wife, her help and comments? Family? His selecting people to go to the camp – and culling all the rest who turned up, the yahoos who appeared on television? The interest in Vince, the television interview, his going to the house of a neighbour to watch it?

7. The strike background, the layoffs? His father and hardships? Vince’s friends? Some supportive, Johnny and his continued criticisms? Pulling Vince down? Janet and her interest, support, the date, Vince and his muffing it? Yet her growing support, the final match? Their eventual marriage and family?

8. The training camp, the other members of the team, considering Vince as old at thirty? Their taunts? Dick and his being impressed by Vince? His not being cut? The continued practices, tactics, the matches, the series of losses? Vince and his being called to play, Dick’s trust in him? His freezing and not being able to move, Dick’s anger? The crowd at home watching, their dismay?

9. Vince going home, practising with his friends? Being called up?

10. The final games, the success of the Philadelphia Eagles? Vince and his work, skills, running? Tough? The final match and the long run for goal? The real goal being replayed during the final credits?

11. A character study, a portrait of American sportsmen? American football for a niche market?