Friday Night Lights

  • Review Date: January 17, 2005
  • PG-13
  • Genre: Drama
  • 2004
 Review

Common Sense Media says

So much more than a football movie.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has some tense family scenes with an abusive father. Underage characters drink and a character abuses alcohol. There are sexual references and use of the phrase "getting laid." The football scenes are powerfully staged and very intense. Audience members may almost feel that they are the ones getting tackled. The movie is frank in its treatment of injuries, some graphic.

  • Diverse characters, but plenty of racist language and race is an issue in the final game.
  • Rough football skirmishes with bloody injuries; father is abusive to son.
  • References to "getting laid," some sexual situations.

What's the story?

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS follows the story of Coach Gary Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton) and his team, the Permian High Panthers of Odessa, Tex., a town that literally revolves around high school football. The film chronicles one season from the first day of practice to the championship game and is about dreams, competition, families, tragedy, triumph, and the team. Because it's set in America, it's also about race and class. Most of all, though, it's about how, in this small town, high school football affects individuals. Boobie Miles (href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/reviews/Derek-Luke/">Derek Luke) is the star player who juggles calls from college recruiters. Disenchanted former player Charles Billingsley (Tim McGraw) hopes to recapture the glory through his son but has no idea how to reach him except through insults and abuse. Mike Winchell (Lucas Black) juggles caring for a sick mother while trying to help the team win the title. And Coach Gaines shows his love for the game and for the boys on the team.


Is it any good?

 

Director/co-screenwriter Peter Berg has produced a movie that has both immediacy and resonance, filled with moments of authenticity and insight. It has an intentionally rough, gritty, bleached, documentary feel, but Berg is in complete control, with every shot a small gem of precision and mastery. Many of the performances are quite moving, and, as always, Thornton brings subtlety and natural honesty to his role.

Within a very traditional sports movie structure, Berg assembles a mosaic of gem-like moments that illuminate a much bigger picture. This is not a football movie -- it's a rich and meaningful story about people who play football and the people who watch them, with respectful and poignant insights, beautiful performances, and sensitive treatment of issues that touch us all.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about what it feels like for these 17-year-old boys to carry so much of their family's and the town's sense of pride. What is good about that? What is bad? Why was it so important to Don's father that he succeed? Why did he define success the way he did? Did his team's championship "carry him forever?" How do parents help their children learn what success means? If it is not football that defines success in your community, what does?


This review was written by Nell Minow
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Incredible....
This movie was one of the best movies i have ever seen. You don't have to understand football to enjoy this movie. There are some sexual refernces and scenes but they have nothing to do with the story so you can fast forword them. 10 and up.

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Teen, 15 years old
December 23, 2008
 
AWESOME!!!!
The best high school football movie and show!!! it was really powerful and sad! ever1 should see this once!

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
More Than Talk
This is a really good movie, but the Common Sense review failed to accurately warn about the sexual content. In addition to the talk about "getting laid", it also depicts two characters getting dressed just after they have had sex, and another two characters who are stripping down to have sex when they are interrupted. Both scenes stopped just short of being objectionable for viewing with our 13 year old, but I would have liked to have been warned.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Must See for Avid Sport Parents
This movie was amazing to me. Football in Texas is big, bigger than life, and it is amazing how the townspeople pin their own hopes and dreams on their boys. There are lots of things here to learn: don't live vicariously through your children, education first (Chavez vs Miles), beware of the pressure you put on your kids, new defn of "perfect", love, teamwork. Awesome movie but don't take kids less than 13 or 14 years old.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
massive
wow i'm like a big football fan so i had to see this movie and it was even better than i thought it would be this is the best football movie ever

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Teen, 16 years old
November 26, 2010
 
This show is amazing. It is about football, but is more about the characters in

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This review was written by Nell Minow
Topics:sports and martial arts
Studio:Universal Pictures
Director:Peter Berg
Cast:Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black, Tim McGraw
Genre:Drama
Run time:117 minutes
Theatrical release date:October 8, 2004
DVD release date:January 18, 2005
MPAA rating:PG-13
MPAA explanation:thematic issues, sexual content, language, some teen drinking and rough sports action

This review was written by Nell Minow
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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