Review of Draft Day (2014) by Ola G — 28 Apr 2015

On the morning of the 2014 NFL Draft in New York City, Chris Berman, Jon Gruden, Mel Kiper Jr., and other analysts discuss the consensus first overall pick: Wisconsin quarterback Bo Callahan, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. Cleveland Browns general manager Sonny Weaver Jr. (Kevin Costner), must decide how to use the seventh overall pick to improve his consistently losing team, but has other issues. He recently learned that his secret girlfriend Ali Parker (Jennifer Garner), the team's salary cap analyst, is pregnant with his child. His father, Sonny Weaver Sr., coached the Browns before Weaver Jr. fired him, and died a week before the draft. And his mother is upset at him for missing the reading of Weaver Sr.'s will. The Seattle Seahawks hold the first overall pick, which general manager Tom Michaels offers to trade to the Browns. Weaver declines, but before leaving for the draft team owner Anthony Molina (Frank Langella)-dissatisfied with current quarterback Brian Drew-orders him to accept. The Browns give their three first-round draft picks over the next three years for the top pick. Many Seahawks fans want Callahan, however, and express their displeasure with picket signs at CenturyLink Field and on social media, demanding Michaels' firing. The unexpected chance to obtain Callahan excites Browns fans. Most in the Browns' front office agree despite the high price; Drew and head coach Vince Penn (Denis Leary) are the exceptions. Sonny´s dream of putting together a team he wants for the Browns is challenged and he needs to make some quick decision both for the team and himself before the day is over...

Kevin Costner is a sure bet in any sports related movie. We have seen him in great movies such as "Bull Durham", "Tin Cup", "For the Love Of The Game" etc. He simply fits within the sphere of sports combined with emotional or love drama. Costner is solid in the role as Sonny Weaver Jr and this light drama would´ve hardly been as good without Costner. The tricks and schemes within the NFL draft is not so interesting and it´s such a stereotypical and predictable "good guy" win in the end of the storyline. We just miss the american flag waving in the background. The strength of the movie is however Sonny´s personal problems he needs to solve during the draft day and the lovely and talented Jennifer Garner adds a layer to that. I reckon her part should´ve been a bit bigger. She is underused in my opinion. Chicago Sun-Times critic Richard Roeper gave the film a "B", stating the film is "a sentimental, predictable, sometimes implausible but thoroughly entertaining, old-fashioned piece." And I think that really sums up "Draft Day".