Now available on Blu-ray, DVD, Ultra 4K and digital is the football biography, American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story.
The film stars Zachery Levi, Anna Paquin, and Dennis Quaid,
I enjoy watching football, and I think Kurt Warner seems like a really nice guy. For those reasons, I was interested in seeing this film. However, if you think this film is about his rise within the NFL, you’ll be disappointed. This film might be about a man who plays football, but it’s not a film about football – if that makes any sense? American Underdog is actually a film about Kurt Warner and his wife Brenda, how they met and how their relationship evolved over the years. Dare I say this is more of a romantic film then a film about football. Well played film makers, well played…
With that being said, there is “some” football in this film, but that is not the focus of the film. It’s not even a biography about Kurt Warner, per say. It doesn’t go into his birth, childhood, introduction to football, or anything like that. It’s focused on how he met his wife Brenda, their early years together and their lives as a married couple.
This film does have some religious undertones to it. It’s not what I would consider a religious film, like The Shack, Heaven is Real or I Can Only Imagine, but there is a lot of “faith” built into this film. This is definitely a wholesome film that would be okay for the whole family to watch (younger kids might not have any interest in it). The film is rated PG.
Even though the film was nothing like I expected, I still fully enjoyed the film. It could have been the story about any couple and how they met and I still would have enjoyed it.
If any couple truly belonged together, it’s the Warners. Not to sound corny, but they seem like a “match made in heaven.”
For me, one of my favorite parts of this film was the young actor Hayden Zaller, who plays Brenda Warner’s son from a previous relationship, Zack. Zack Waner is legally blind, as is young Hayden. This is his first acting role, and you would never think that seeing as how he’s a natural on the “big screen.”
I LOVE that Hollywood is allowing people with “different-abilities” to play roles in movies. Take for example Millicent Simmonds from the Quiet Place films, and Lauren Ridloff, from The Walking Dead. Both actresses are deaf, and portray deaf characters on film. I love that doors are opening up for wonderful actors and actresses who have different abilities.
If you are looking for a “feel good” film about a couple who are madly in love and meant to be together, despite any challenges that come their way, then you’ll certainly enjoy this wholesome film. If you are looking for a film about nothing BUT football, then you might want to reconsider, because American Underdog is not that kind of film.
There is an official website for the film, which has a lot of great content including discussion guides for families, and even something for couples. Visit AmericanUnderdogInspires.com to learn more.
You can also find the film on social media. All of the links are found on the top right of the official website. The official hashtag is #AmericanUnderdog.
Below is the film’s trailer for your enjoyment.
Kimberly
*I received a free copy of the film in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
Donna says
This sounds like a wonderful movie with a talented cast! It would be a great one to watch with my family.
RICARDO MENEZES says
Great movie and history.