 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Friday Night Lights
- Review Date: January 17, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2004
Common Sense Media says
So much more than a football movie.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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.
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?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
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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AGE
AWESOME!!!!
The best high school football movie and show!!! it was really powerful and sad! ever1 should see this once!
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AGE
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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AGE
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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AGE
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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AGE
This show is amazing. It is about football, but is more about the characters in
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| 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 |
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