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Are fist pumpers ‘Invincible?’
Slow-motion montages and prep speeches meet talented writers and actors
By Andrew Rooney
If “Rudy” and “Rocky” still get you up on your feet every time they are on, and “Remember the Titans” almost brought tears to your eyes, then “Invincible” is a movie of interest to you.
However, if slow-motion montages and big prep speeches are an annoyance, then you may want to stay away.
Regardless of your opinion on feel-good fist pumpers, “Invincible” is an enjoyable movie that succeeds in areas where most happy ending sports biopics fail. Mark Wahlberg does a solid job handling the lead and succeeds in convincing the audience that Vince Papale was in fact full of heart.
“Invincible” tells the true story of a down-and-out 30-year-old bartender, Vincent Papale, who walks on to the Philadelphia Eagles — via their unprecedented open tryouts. The film follows Papale, played by Wahlberg, through training camp and several highlights of the lackluster 1976 season including a slew of encounters with his supportive for the most part, friends.
Greg Kinnear takes several giant steps away from his two most recent roles, “The Matador” and “Little Miss Sunshine,” with his believable portrayal of Eagles head coach/legend, Dick Vermeil.
Elizabeth Banks and Kevin Conway also turn in adequate performances as Vince’s girlfriend and father, respectively. As a whole, the cast is decent. No one steals the show as often happens in sports films.
Much like “Rudy” a decade earlier, “Invincible” is all about heart and one man’s desire to make a name for himself. This time however, instead of a college student, it’s a barely-employed bartender that steals the limelight and captivates our heart or tries to.
Director Ericson Core must be given credit for keeping the total corniness scenes out until the last quarter of the movie. As a result, Wahlberg’s show-stealing performance in the second game of the season is more enjoyable.
A nod is also given to screenwriter Brad Gann for not making the film overly long, and keeping sporadic laughs coming throughout the movie.
Short as he may be, and as busy as he is with his hit show “Entourage,” it is good to see the likeable Wahlberg back on the big screen.
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