Film Review: AMERICAN UNDERDOG (2021): The Erwin Brothers’ Latest Movie Will Keep Audiences Interested Throughout

American Underdog Review

American Underdog (2021) Film Review, a movie directed by Andrew Erwin and Jon Erwin and starring Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin, Hayden Zaller, Ser’Darius Blain, Dennis Quaid, Chance Kelly, Bruce McGill, Adam Baldwin, Cindy Hogan, Steven Chester Prince, Dean Denton, Kevin Downes, Cora Wilkerson, Morgana Shaw, Danny Vinson and Andrea Cohen.

The Erwin Brothers have always appealed to me ever since I saw their first feature film, October Baby. They have constantly been filmmakers I can rely on for an emotionally uplifting cinematic experience. Some of their more notable mainstream films include I Can Only Imagine, and I Still Believe. With Andrew and Jon Erwin’s new film, American Underdog, audiences can know they are in the hands of professional filmmakers who will never steer their audience wrong throughout although they do occasionally rely heavily on some religious overtones in their films (but less so in this new picture than in their previous ones).

American Underdog stars Zachary Levi in the title role. Levi plays Kurt Warner, a football star who made it all the way to the NFL despite tremendously difficult personal circumstances. As the woman in his life, Brenda Meoni, Oscar-winner Anna Paquin shines as a single mother who sticks by Kurt even during some extremely dire circumstances all in the name of love.

As the film opens, we learn that Kurt had big dreams as a kid that he would play professional football and the movie informs us of the small odds that it would ever happen for him. We go ahead many years later as struggling would-be football star Kurt seeks dancing lessons to impress a girl (Paquin) who dances at the local bar. When Kurt gets the courage to dance with her, she eventually tells him her name is Brenda and that she has two kids. One of the children is a legally blind young man Zack (Hayden Zaller, turning in a charming performances) who Kurt automatically develops a bond with when he comes to bring Brenda a red rose one day. Of course, Sue (Cindy Hogan), Kurt’s mom, doesn’t initially like the baggage that comes with Brenda and her family but ultimately accepts them into her son’s life.

There are a couple of annoying but realistic scenes that ring true to life. One scene comes when Kurt is asked to play football by a coach when he tries out for the Green Bay Packers, but Kurt claims he is not ready and then acts surprised when the coach lets him go. I found Kurt’s choice to do what he does here really detrimental to his success and it puts off his success for more time as he must return without money to his family. Another frustrating scene comes when Kurt hasn’t paid the electric bill and doesn’t realize that his truck has no gas when he drives Brenda and her kids to a family member’s house during a horrific snowstorm. Kurt has to then walk over a mile to get gas to get them to their destination safely. These scenes could be accurate as the film is based on a true story and they probably are, but they make us frustrated with Kurt who makes bad choices a lot during the movie. When he takes a job at a supermarket to help support his girlfriend and her family, it’s one of the things he does right and then an opportunity arises for Kurt to go into arena ball that will ultimately test his relationship with Brenda.

Kurt ended up becoming a quarterback for the St. Louis Rams and made quite an impact during the years he played for the team. This film chronicles his personal journey to making it there which was filled with heartbreak and despair. However, despite a brief break up, Brenda always stood by his side even when times were truly hard.

You may think you’ve seen something similar to this before, but the performances really give it a fresh vibe that is enhanced by the Erwin Brothers’ capable direction. Scenes feel like they’re not always predictable and in a film like this, that’s good because we more or less know how this one is going to end. It’s the way the directors keep it interesting that is the film’s major success. Dennis Quaid of I Can Only Imagine even pops up as Dick Vermell who put his faith in Kurt and led him to the success he ultimately found on the Rams. Ser’Darius Blain is well-cast as well in his brief but substantial turn as Mike Hudnutt who was Kurt’s roommate in college and maintained a friendship with Kurt throughout the years.

American Underdog ultimately rests on the chemistry of its stars and Zachary Levi and Anna Paquin do a remarkable job together. They make us believe in the relationship even as Levi’s Kurt sometimes makes bad choices that threaten their relationship. This is not the best film the Erwin Brothers have done but it is enjoyable and worth seeing in a world where we need to hold on to positivity now more than ever. It’s a worthwhile film and you don’t have to be a sports fan or religious to enjoy it though if you like football or are religious, there are added bonuses. Seek American Underdog out this holiday season.

Rating: 7/10

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