Any Given Sunday Film Review

Oliver Stone has the most frustrating habit of turning the women in his movies (if he even has any) into monsters and Any Given Sunday (another of his message movies) is no exception.

This is an interesting film and the performances are excellent but I find Stone the most annoying director. As with his other films he feels the need to constantly show off with flashy camera techniques that don't really contribute anything to the film. And his theme of warriors fighting a ruthless enemy makes it seem like Platoon on the football field. Tony D'Amato (Pacino), coach of the Miami Sharks, is feeling the pressure from the team's owner, Christina Pagniacci (Diaz) who, we are told a thousand times, doesn't run the team the way her father did. The Sharks have lost four games in a row, their aging star quarterback (Quaid) is injured and Christina only cares about the financial benefits of the game. When Willie Beamen (Foxx) gets his chance as the team's quarterback and becomes an instant celebrity tensions flare between the other players, Tony and Christina.

Stone clearly despises the way sport has been corrupted by money and his other messages are that experience is worth more than youth and teamwork can accomplish anything. They are worthy messages told in a loud, slick film that is really held together by the amazing performances from the whole cast.

The film takes a while to get into and Quaid is wasted. There are a lot of on field action shots so be warned if you hate football. My Stone prejudices aside, Any Given Sunday is worth a look.