UNDER THE STADIUM LIGHTS

US, 2021, 109 minutes, Colour.

Milo Gibson, Abigail Hawk, Laurence Fishburne, Acoryo White, Carter Redwood, Jermaine Arroyo, Glenn Morshower.

Directed by Todd Randall.

This is very much a film for American audiences, especially those who enjoy American football. It is a sports film – that it also has the background of the Faith film.

It is based on a true story, that of Chad Mitchell, policeman, chaplain, motivator, and the book based on his life and work, Brother’s Keeper. While the film has football sequences, it is more of the work of the brothers’ keeper.

The setting is Abilene Texas, a focus on how important a local football team is for the life and morale of the town. The film shows Chad Mitchell becoming involved with the football team, the conversion experience from complaining about what is wrong with the world to trying to do something about it, morale boosting for the members of the team, personal counselling for three who have serious problems at home. And, this does lead to neglect of his family.

Milo Gibson, son of Mel Gibson, plays the role of Chad Mitchell and his religious earnestness and faith, with many morale boosting segments and exhortations. However, the audience is very glad when Laurence Fishburne comes on the scene, playing a real-life character, Harold Christian, who managed the bar in the town and was a genial support to everyone.

There is a criticism of the film that the three young men who have home problems are black and Hispanic while those who do the good in the film are white.

Nevertheless, this is a very earnest and encouraging film.

1. The title and the focus on sport? Friday night lights? The original title of the memoir, Brothers’ Keeper, and the tone of the chaplain and his work with the team and the team members.
2. Abilene, Texas, small town America, work in jobs, families, white families, black and Hispanic families, problems and issues? The police? The importance of the football team and success, prestige and self-worth? The musical score?
3. The tone of the film, perspectives of the Faith film, the chaplain, his own faith journey, conversion, doing good with the team, but the accusation that he was not caring for his family? Belief, church, prayer?
4. Chad Mitchell, his memoir, his role in the police, reputation, family life? His comment about complaining, then realising that he should do good rather than complain? His role with the team, as chaplain, discussions with the football officials, meetings with the team?
5. The three central players, black and Hispanic backgrounds, their troubles, filling in the family background, the characters, alcohol, prison, violence? Commentators noting that those helping all white?
6. The importance of the character of Harold Christian, age, experience, work in the bar, friendly, supportive, sustaining character?
7. The dramatising of the town, the range of people, families, police, players, coaches, the media, social workers?
8. Chad, his age, experience, character, relationship with his family, their complaint that he was not protecting them? The family sequences? His conversion? His role as a chaplain?
9. The many speeches, Chad and his sincerity, aims, ambitions, faith and humanist perspectives?
10. The football, filming of the matches, the touches of training, pep talks? The crowds and supporters? The various strategies for winning?
11. A very American film, American football, American support of their teams, the status of the team in the home town?