Ever since their success with THE ROOKIE, Walt Disney Pictures has carved out a nice niche for themselves with a host of inspirational sports films. For the most part, they have all worked quite well.
INVINCIBLE is based on the true story of Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg, THE DEPARTED), a bartender who never played college football who tries out for the Philadelphia, Eagles during an open try-out and makes the team. Papale is down on his luck — big time. He can't keep a steady job teaching and his wife has just left him. And to make matters worse his beloved Eagles stink. College coach Dick Vermeil (Greg Kinnear, AS GOOD AS IT GETS) is hired to turn the Eagles around. As a good-will gesture to the Philly fans, he holds an open try-out. At first Papale is not interested in trying out, but his friends push him. Papale's talents stand out and he is the only person at the open try-outs to be invited to training camp. Now Papale has to balance between holding his own against the more experienced players, his newfound celebrity and the pretty barmaid Janet Cantrell (Elizabeth Banks, SLITHER).
The story plays out as we would expect, injecting in all the standard underdog elements. However, former cinematographer turned director Ericson Core (TV's FAMILY LAW) captures the depressed working class tone of Philadelphia with his shadowy photography and muted colors. The film looks great.
Brad Gann's script nicely parallels the struggles of Papale with those of coach Vermeil. Thematically this works really well because it helps the story remain honest about Papale's real impact on the team as well as having the uplifting story of how Vermeil eventually turned around the Eagles team. Papale is never painted as a superstar, because he never was one. However, that doesn't change that fact that he was still an inspiration to all his working class friends who give anything to have a chance to play pro ball. Much like THE ROOKIE, this is real life wish fulfillment.
Making all of this come to life are the wonderful performances of Wahlberg and Kinnear. Both make us believe in their characters. Wahlberg only improves with each performance. I see an Oscar in his future. Outside of a pick-up football game in the rain toward the end, the film never gets sappy or sentimental. It's inspirational tale works because it is really routed in real life, not some Hollywood representation of "a true story."
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
