By Avant Rowe
Friday Night Lights is a film based on the true story of the 1988 Permian Panthers in Odessa, Texas. Burdened by the expectations of their small town, the Permian Panthers capture the excitement, pain, and sense of community that characterize American high school football in Texas. Directed by Peter Berg, the film is an adaptation from H.G. Bissinger’s book, Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, and A Dream. While the film focuses very much on football, it also shows the effects of high expectations, offering a straight-forward portrayal of social differences and highlighting the ambitions and sacrifices of adults and young people alike.
Because it allows the audience to witness the characters’ authentic, raw emotions, Friday Night Lights is a grittier film. It gives viewers a glimpse of characters on and off the field with visuals that have a documentary feel, while also showcasing the ferocity and speed on the field during football games. The realistic dialogue makes the game scenes impressive, immersing the audience in the action as it unfolds. At the same time, many scenes depict the emotional intensity that these young adults were experiencing from having the weight of the town on their shoulders.
Ultimately, it’s the actors’ performances that make the movie truly impactful. Coach Gary Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton) battles to teach and help young men while simultaneously trying to uphold the town’s expectations for the state championship. Boobie Miles (Derick Luke) plays a young, talented running back. He had all the big-time offers but was derailed by a knee injury. The most heartbreaking scene is when Miles has an emotional breakdown in the car with his uncle after he realizes his future and his former glory are slipping away. But the characters who most embody the dreams and worries of every small-town teenager are Quarterback Mike Winchell (Lucas Black) and Fullback Don Billingsley (Garret Hedlund).
Friday Night Lights is a work of art, and I believe it is one of the best, if not the best, sports film of all time. It successfully combines the drama of adolescence and the ferocity and the realism of football. The ending doesn’t deliver a cliché triumph, which shows that sometimes, losing is simply a part of life. Ultimately, this movie is one of the most genuine and emotionally impactful sports movies produced, and it continues to speak to audiences, even after upwards of 20 years.
The Judson Mosaic 