DRAFT DAY
US, 2014, 110 minutes, Colour.
Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner, Denis Leary, Ellen Burstyn, Chadwick Boseman, Frank Langella, Terry Crews, Sean Combs, Tom Welling, Rosanna Arquette, Sam Elliott, Jim Brown, Kevin Dunn.
Directed by Ivan Reitman.
Draft Day is a particularly American film, a film about the football league, the buildup to the day of the draft, and the draft procedure itself, in the presence of thousands of fans. Those who follow American football will find the film of great interest, those who do not follow it might be puzzled by many of the aspects, but intrigued by the politics and machinations that go on that one behind the scenes.
There is great detail about the nature of the draft, highlighting of many American cities and indication of the teams. The film opens with negotiations between Seattle and Cleveland, with Kevin Costner playing the manager, taking over from his father, the very long-time coach who died the week previously. Many of the local fans are not enthusiastic about the new manager. He also has trouble from his coach, played by Denis Leary, who does not approve of him and his tactics and becomes involved with other teams, phoning throughout the day. The accountant for the club is played by Jennifer Garner who is in a relationship with the manager, though it is secret and she is pregnant. She has a great knowledge of football and brings this to bear in her advice. There is also a research team, investigating the backgrounds of the potential nominees for the team.
There is a lot of emotional pressure as well is a need for clear thinking, testing out the player that the team wants, especially the owner, played by Frank Langella, who wants the manager to make a public splash and get fans’ attention. As the day goes on, there is the complication of the spreading of his father’s ashes, and pressure from his mother, Ellen Burstyn, and his ex-wife, Rosanna Arquette.
As the draft begins, there are even more strategy plans, phone deals, reversing previous decisions – and, ultimately, to the advantage of the Cleveland manager.
The film was directed by Ivan Reitman, best known for his comedies like stripes, Ghostbusters, Dave.
1. The title? American football? The sports film? Deals and politicking?
2. The time span, one day, the clock counting down, issues of the draft, the carrying out of the draft?
3. The importance of time, the moves, deals, preferences on the draw, the anticipation of the players? Time to think, consult? The coaches and the team, managers, the implications of investigating the players and their suitability, weaknesses?
4. American, the indication of the cities, the names of the teams, the visuals?
5. The focus on Sonny, Kevin Costner’s presence, as a character in himself, his relationship with his father, the coach, sacking him, his death? His relationship with his mother, her criticism of his manoeuvres, the ashes, scattering them, wanting him to read out his father’s words, his unwillingness, the group going onto the ground? Ali, his relationship, secret, the pregnancy, at work, the note in his pocket and her finding it with Vontaë’s name as the original choice?
6. The first deal, the group from Seattle, wanting Bo, the choices, and issues of popularity in Seattle, fans and hostility? The deal with the team, Sonny agreeing? His situation and Cleveland, fans and their protests, comparisons with his father, hunting Bo, the role of Drew and his past season, change? Vontae and his fans and manager? Sonny, his discussions with him?
7. Ali, at work, the new young secretary and his interventions, serious, Sonny ruining his computer? The coach, his hostility, the choices, the work of the research team? Negative advice about Bo?
8. Complexities, Bo and his manager, Vontae and his being upset?
9. The details of the further deals, the timing? After the draft had started? The details, timing, draft options? Sonny’s choice?
10. Ali at work, the knowledge of the game, statistics and information, the secret relationship with Sonny, her pregnancy, not wanting the relationship a secret any longer? Sonny going to the room with her, consulting? The coach wanting Ali’s help? Her refusal? Sonny’s mother, the ex-wife, the mother and her getting her name wrong, later getting it correct?
11. The coach, his skill as a coach, his hostility as a personality, phone calls to rival teams? Sonny firing him or not? His watching, at the end, agreeing?
12. The owner of the team, the water slides, his wanting a splash, his being happy with Bo being drafted, preparing the jersey, going to the draft, his reaction
to Sonny’s choice, the flight, his anger and confrontation, having to wait, his final agreement?
13. Drew, his wife and family, his anger, his training during the break, the issue of returning the money at the back of the book, offered to all the players, to check whether they had read the book? Bo and the money? The advice about the video with Bo and Vontae giving the ball to his sick sister, Bo and his being able to be unnerved?
14. Sonny needing time, alone, anger, his mother, the ashes?
15. The final bargaining, getting back his options in the draft in the coming years, selecting Vontae, the phone calls, Vontae’s surprise and happiness?
16. Success, Vontae and his arrival, drew being reassured, Bo and his manager, the tension in waiting, other teams wary of Bo, finally selected?
17. Success, the photo, the opening of the season?
18. Insights into American football, into the politicking, into the deals, the toll on the managers?
