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katherineelmore
Reviews
Woodlawn (2015)
Sentimental viewing for a Birmingham native
Tony Nathan, Bear Bryant, George Wallace, Eli Gold (as himself), and Legion Field... it's a great walk down memory lane for Birminghamsters. The early 1970's Birmingham high school football rivalries, with the backdrop of desegregation, is the setting. A Christian preacher shows up in the midst of violence and turmoil to bring the diverse team together through Jesus (the movie is set in the early 70's before Christianity became political). The film culminates with the Banks v. Woodlawn state championship game at Legion Field, including archival footage from the game called by voiceover from Eli Gold. Jon Voight is excellent as The Bear. Yes, the film is shot through rose colored glasses, but sometimes we need a little inspiration. My only gripe is that the film casts a pro separation of church and state "villain" as being from Montgomery, which is patently absurd. Overall, fun movie for folks from Birmingham, Tide fans, and those old enough to remember the Alabama v. Penn State Sugar Bowl.