Make no mistake, football is big in the American South and those who are good in this sport are treated like conquering heroes. And so it is with one particular running back by the name of "Gavin Grey" (Dennis Quaid) who is held in awe by everyone around him as he has led his Louisiana State Tigers to two Sugar Bowl victories and a national championship. Even his college sweetheart "Babs" (Jessica Lange) is mesmerized by him. Yet in spite of his collegiate success and his marriage to a beauty queen, Gavin is fully aware that fame is fleeting and that his importance is solely dependent upon his image as a football superstar. To his credit, along with Babs, he has several good friends like "Lawrence" (John Goodman) and his nephew "Donnie" (Timothy Hutton) who he can count on to support him through thick and thin. The problem, however, is that he has taken them for granted for so long that he has forgotten that, like all people, they are fallible--and when the glory begins to fade, he will need them more than ever. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that I remember watching this film at the movie theater when it first came out and I enjoyed it immensely. Having now watched it again some 35 years later, I can honestly say that it was still entertaining--even after all that time. I especially liked the performances of Dennis Quaid and Jessica Lange who played their roles to near perfection. Admittedly, as with most films seen more than once, the luster fades to a certain degree through the years but, even so, I still enjoyed it for the most part and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.
Review of Everybody's All-American
