Any Given Sunday
Oliver Stone takes on professional football, a sport whose grace and delicacy are a good match for his filmmaking style. Tony D'Amato (Al Pacino), the head coach of the Miami Sharks, won back-to-back championships four years ago. But new team owner Christina Pagniacci (Cameron Diaz) has little enthusiasm for the finer points of the game and is concerned only with the bottom line. The longtime strongman of Tony's team has been "Cap" Rooney (Dennis Quaid), a 39-year-old quarterback, but Christina balks at renewing his contract. When Cap is injured during a game, third-string rookie quarterback Willie Beaman (Jamie Foxx) goes on in his place and becomes a major star. But Beaman is mostly interested in fame and money, and he has little regard for Tony and his teammates. Any Given Sunday also stars James Woods as the team's doctor, LL Cool J as a star running back, Jim Brown as a former football great turned Sharks' defensive coordinator, Ann-Margret as Christina's alcoholic mother, Bill Bellamy as a wide receiver, Elizabeth Berkley as Tony's favorite prostitute, and Charlton Heston as the football commissioner. more..
Director: Oliver Stone
Starring: Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, James Woods, Jamie Foxx
It's a close call here. I guess I recommend the movie because the dramatic scenes are worth it. But if some studio executive came along and made Stone cut his movie down to two hours, I have the strangest feeling it wouldn't lose much of substance and might even play better.
The film's cumulative effect is as exhausting as it is exciting.
Features convincing, often soaring, performances by a savvy cast that must have gotten adrenaline shots administered by Stone himself.
Though there are helmets deeper than this movie, you do have to admire the level of screen showmanship .
Far too long, but its rambunctiousness is engaging, propelled by Stone's virtuosic quick-cutting.
Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film
ALMA Awards (2000)
Richard Horowitz
BMI Film & TV Awards (2000)
Oliver Stone
Berlin International Film Festival (2000)
Theatrical - Best Supporting Actor
Black Reel Awards (2000)
Favorite Actress - Drama
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (2000)
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