There are football movies and then there are Football movies and this was a Football movie, one for the top ten list of any football fan.

Invincible is a true story Vince Papale, a walk on player who made the team and played for three years with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976. Mark Wahlberg stars in another 70s leading role although this time keeps his pants on and private parts hidden. Wahlberg plays Vince Papale and has the nice guy, deer in the headlights look perfected and uses it throughout the movie. Papale is a very likable character and one to root for throughout the story and reminds us of #80 on the New York Jets.

Greg Kinnear plays a much younger Dick Vermeil who came from UCLA to the hapless Eagles and tried to stir things up by having an open tryout. Kinnear is the soft spoken and sensitive young coach and shows he has more drama talent waiting on the bench. Vermeil took a chance with Papale, going for character and heart rather than talent and experience.

The Eggles

We thought it would be hard to root for the Eagles being rampant Jet fans, but it wasn't at all. This is a story of a town in deep financial troubles, a few good friends and a great little guy makes good plot. The football action is not overdone and the game action is shot from some interesting angles. The film shows a gritty feel to NFL football especially training camp. One of the great seasons was where Papale was waiting in his room for the knock to come at his door which would mean he had been cut. They showed him there for hours, listening to the other knocks on other players doors. The emotional build up was great.

Story line?

Yes, there was a story line to go along with the football action. Papale and his buddies in the bar. Papale and his wife who leaves him and the Giants fan girl he falls for just after. Usually the other story lines in a football movie tend to be the letdown but not so in Invincible. Elizabeth Banks who played Janet Cantrell the girlfriend slash Giants fan was also very good. She as believable as any actor playing a Giants fan could be.

Conclusion

Invincible is a great film to watch to start off the football season and should make any fans top ten list (maybe not Giant fans). The movie portrays a different, more relaxed side of the NFL that seems to have gone more commercial since. Go see it now or rent it from Netflix during the draft next year.