“80 For Brady” Movie Review

 

“80 For Brady”

Movie Review

 

80 for Brady stars Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field and was directed by Kyle Marvin. The plot of the film revolves around four older female friends who are longtime New England Patriots fans who travel to Houston to watch their hero Tom Brady and the New England Patriots compete in Super Bowl LI in 2017.

The script is an engaging and lighthearted story about long-lasting female friendships that will appeal to a wide range of audiences. In their quest to attend Superbowl LI, the four best friends face heartbreak, healing, and a reminder that friendship means lifelong support. Despite being good, 80 For Brady's charm shines through thanks to the special cast chemistry.

80 For Brady follows longtime best friends Betty (Sally Field), Trish (Jane Fonda), Lou (Lily Tomlin), and Maura (Rita Moreno) on their quest to take a wild trip to the 2017 Superbowl. The founders of the Tom Brady fan club for seniors are in desperate need of tickets to enjoy one last celebration together. All of their dreams appear to come true when they win a once-in-a-lifetime contest. And as they make their way toward the best day of their lives, they realize it's not the experience they've been looking forward to, but the time they'll spend together.

The script by Haskins and Halpern is a gentle reminder that there is no age limit to having fun. 80 For Brady celebrates female friendships through Trish, Betty, Maura, and Lou in a setting reminiscent of buddy comedies and sports dramas. Trish is recovering from her latest heartbreak, while Tomlin's Lou is recovering from chemotherapy. Then there's Maura, who can't get over the loss of her husband, and Betty, who longs to be free of hers. These various personalities and life experiences are played out with such charm and appeal that it will be difficult not to smile.

While the film is based on a true story, there's no doubt that the filmmakers behind 80 For Brady exaggerated the quartet's Superbowl experience. However, everything in the film is well-intentioned and designed to elicit natural laughs, and they were successful. Despite the lighthearted tone, the story does focus on real-life issues such as cancer, death, and love, all of which audiences can relate to. Furthermore, the transitions to such topics are seamless and feel natural to the progression of the story. As a result, 80 For Brady is more than just an enjoyable and touching watch.

With all of the ridiculous things that happen in Marvin's sports comedy, it's easy to dismiss the film as a throwaway ad attempting to persuade its audience that women can enjoy football. To be sure, the script isn't entirely credible in that regard, as their interest in football begins after fawning over Tom Brady's attractiveness in the early scenes. However, once these tired jokes are out of the way and the pace picks up, the script soars into an exciting adventure that emphasizes the value of friendship. And, with standout performances from the film's leads, 80 For Brady is the type of film to watch right before the big game.

 

Marvin's latest sports dramedy is a fun and heartwarming film for everyone, full of heart, humor, and a centralized focus on friendship even in old age. The slower pace early on allows viewers to get a good understanding of each character. It then picks up, resulting in a fun experience with laughter at every turn. It's easy to see why these four were chosen to represent the value of friendship even through life's ups and downs, thanks to charming performances from the film's leads, who are friends on and off-screen. And, while it doesn't break any genre barriers or necessitate multiple viewings, 80 For Brady accomplishes everything it set out to do in terms of entertainment.

WATCH THE REVIEW VIDEO FOR MORE...