Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Jessica Lange | ... | Babs | |
Dennis Quaid | ... | Gavin Grey | |
Timothy Hutton | ... | Donnie 'Cake' | |
John Goodman | ... | Lawrence | |
Carl Lumbly | ... | Narvel Blue | |
Ray Baker | ... | Bolling Kiely | |
Savannah Smith Boucher | ... | Darlene Kiely (as Savannah Smith Bouchér) | |
Patricia Clarkson | ... | Leslie Stone | |
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Joseph Meyer | ... | Pep Leader |
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J. Kevin Brune | ... | Roommate |
Wayne Knight | ... | Fraternity Pisser | |
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Roy B. Stewart Sr. | ... | Junie |
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Pat Pierre Perkins | ... | Willy Mae |
Aaron Neville | ... | Man with Gun | |
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Shawn Burks | ... | Georgia Center |
Louisiana football star Gavin Grey had it all. He was an All-American champion who married his high-school sweetheart, homecoming queen Babs Rogers, and who was a hero to his hometown. Yet after a failed professional career, Gavin realizes that fame and success have passed him by and that he no longer is the hero everyone keeps reminding him he should still be. His dissatisfaction with his life leads to strains in his marriage, and Gavin begins to wonder who he is, if he's not a hero anymore. Written by Jim Beaver <jumblejim@prodigy.net>
Even though I do not watch sports anymore, I used to watch them quite a lot and will still watch this movie whenever it's on TV. Definitely one of the best sports films of all time, realistic and superbly acted, this film follows a quarterback hero and his "trophy" wife from college to well beyond retirement. Topics of love, friendship, fidelity, aging and loyalty are all dealt with in profound ways. Dennis Quaid and Jessica Lange give probably their best performances ever and the supporting cast does not disappoint. It is melodramatic, but it comes from a place of integrity instilled in the writing and direction of the film. If you're a guy and in the mood to watch something both you and your girl can enjoy, I would highly recommend renting this. It's too bad that so many below average sports movies get more praise than they deserve and lesser known films like this one fall by the wayside. 9/10