Review of Friday Night Lights (2004) by Christopher E — 02 Mar 2017

An inspiring sports drama with a well written story.

A drama that chronicles the entire 1988 season of the Permian High Panthers of Odessa, Texas, with football players, coaches, mothers, fathers, pastors, boosters, fans and families struggling with ongoing personal conflicts while the team fights for a state championship. A town for sale, Odessa, Texas has seen better days--the financial bust evident in its boarded-up shops and broken lives. Yet one hope sustains the community where, once a week during the fall, the town and its dreams come alive beneath the dazzling and disorienting Friday night-lights. When the Permian High Panthers take to the field. In a city where economic uncertainty has eroded the spirit of its inhabitants, nearly everyone seeks comfort in the religion of the Friday night ritual, where the unfulfilled dreams of an entire community are shifted onto the shoulder pads of a team of high-school athletes.

It feels like the sports drama has the potential to be extremely impactful but at the same time, it also has the potential to be the most cliche. Nowadays, most sports movies tend to follow the same routine, making them predictable and saturated. Considering this film is much older, its story is still well written and although it's a little predictable at times, it still makes for some powerful moments.

It really feels like this film has a Southern vibe in it and since its set in Texas, that's kind of a given. Considering this story took place years and years ago, it does feel like a different period within sports. The way people view their sports and the kids that play in it is much different then how they're treated today. Not necessarily in terms of glamour, but in a different kind of way. I enjoy the story and it feels like something we don't see ALL the time.

The screenplay was well written and like I said earlier, there were a handful of powerful moments in this film. Every player has their own learning curve and hardships that they have to face, and each one feels different. You have a variety of personalities among the team and it never felt like any of the conflict was forced. I like seeing these teenagers grow and just how they navigate the pressure of this time period.

Along with the screenplay, the editing and the soundtrack were also fitting for the film. It felt like the pacing was done really well and the film was well directed. It's a really solid piece of work and it's a sports film that I think many people should watch.