Friday Night Lights Review

        In the state of Texas, Football is king in every corner and facet of the Lone Star State. In 1990, H.G. Bissinger wrote Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream, which was a documentation about Permian High School’s football program and the impact it had in the city of Odessa and the players in the team. It was a basis for the film that was released back in 2004, loosely based on the Permian Panthers season in 1988. I think out of all the football films that has been released in the past. Friday Night Lights is up there with the best sports movies of all time. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. The State of Football

        Without a doubt, the film just screams Texas since the state is known for its high school football. I’m going to not focus on the story, but on everything in the film that makes it one of a kind. Something about it has that authentic feel, like the players actually look like they are teenagers instead of the usual obvious 20 somethings trying to act like high schoolers. There’s equal focus on everyone and not just on one specific player. 

        Very early in the film, we assume that the film will about High School Football legend “Boobie” Miles. He is very animated as he is the team’s star athlete. As well as a good talker since he taunts his teammates, such as when he mocks his backups cleats for not being like everyone else’s in the team. Right as they start the practice, the whole team gets that star treatment with the local news networks interviewing them on their upcoming season. As far as I know, we never see that and it can be taboo since anyone who isn’t in the state would find it weird. 

        It’s understandable that the film has Odessa be covered with Permian Panthers signs in the front yard to signs in the stores saying that they’re closed during the game. The town’s pride is the school’s football program to win the state championship. The whole book touches on this part specifically, especially when the cheerleaders make gifts for the players. Now, as far as I know in my part of the state, I never saw that. Or it did happen. 

2. Showing a Different Side

        The strongest part of this film is that it doesn’t hold back from showing the side of the sport that people aren’t aware of. Such as showing just how much the whole sport means to the players and coaches. Every scene is inundated with talk shows of the city folk talking about how the team has to win and how the coach is messing up the team. We have moments where we see the coach here the commentary, but he mostly just powers on forward. 

        One thing that isn’t shown is anyone who gets injured. “Boobie” gets hurt, I think it was shown as karma, but in the context of the sport, it’s inevitable. He is the crucial part of the team, and they start to lose. The coach tries to motivate the team by saying that “Boobie” is fine, but when he leaves is probably the best expression shift I’ve seen. Like, you can’t tell them that he’s done, just tell them he’ll be okay. 

        I feel that it was done to show just how the sport affects everyone. Especially with the quarterback living with his drunk dad. Who used to be a former player who won a championship for the school. Now, is just a has been who berates his son’s performance on practice and in the must win games. I thought the Dad was one note and he changed since he had a hard time telling his son that he has to cherish this moment since it’s temporary. 

3. My Favorite Scene

        This is one of the few instances where I actually talk about my favorite scene. I think it just symbolizes Football in general. After “Boobie” gets to play, he reinjures his knee. Effectively ending his football career. He cleans out his locker and his teammates just feel sorry about him. They don’t say anything, but Miles is just weirded out by it. He then meets his uncle in the car and just bawls like a baby. 

        It’s gut wrenching not to feel sorry for him. With what was established earlier as he was reading college offers, he couldn’t read. When he is crying and his uncle comforting him, he said that the sport was supposed to be his future. The shot that really nails right down is the exterior shot of the stadium. With the car still in the parking lot and the assistants walking into the stadium as business as usual. You can’t find that in any sport film. That is football, the game moves on.

4. The Other Story

        As I was reading the story, the chapter concerning Permian’s opponent Dallas Carter High School deserves its own movie. The film makes them out to be the villain, by having their players be bigger and stronger than the guys we’ve been following in the film. Now, there is a movie about the drama surrounding that team, but I would have liked if we get to see Dallas Carter be more humanized instead of having them be the Goliath for our David. 

5. Overall

        Aside from the creative liberties the film takes in terms of equipment, stadiums, and college logos when the recruiters come to see Permian, the film is one of the best football and sports films that I have seen. By no means is it preachy or try to say something but give the realities of high school football and the real gritty truth that comes with it. The book is a must read as it goes deeper with accounts about the players, city, and everything. Friday Night Lights is the gold standard for doing a football movie, not just in Texas, but in the country. 

        Friday Night Lights gets a four out of five.