Walt Disney's Invincible
By Leroy Douresseaux
August 24, 2006 - 16:54
INVINCIBLE
WALT DISNEY PICTURES Presents
DIRECTOR: Ericson Core
WRITER: Brad Gann
PRODUCERS: Mark Ciardi & Gordon Gray and Ken Mok
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, Elisabeth Banks, Michael Rispoli, Kevin Conway, Kirk Acevedo, Michael Kelly, and Michael Nouri
Opening date: Friday, August 25, 2006
Running time: 128 minutes
Rating: MPAA – PG for sports action and some mild language
It’s every sports fan’s wildest, craziest fantasy – the chance to play on the field and go toe-to-toe with the larger-than-life heroes they idolize. Yet, in 1976, this seemingly fairy tale scenario happened in real life. It was then that VINCE PAPALE, a 30 year-old teacher and part-time bartender with little football experience other than being a season ticket-holder, entered the unprecedented public try-outs for his NFL favorites, the PHILADELPHIA EAGLES, and defied all expectations. Not only did Papale make the team – he remade the team, helping to inspire them to break through their 11-season losing streak and rediscover their winning spirit. In the bicentennial year of 1976, Papale lived out the dreams of a city and a nation by taking on the impossible with an unsinkable attitude and becoming the NFL’s most unlikely rookie ever.
Now, 30 years later, Papale’s story of triumph against outrageous odds and his gritty, never-say-die outlook serve once again as inspiration – this time for Walt Disney Picture’s stirring sports drama, INVINCIBLE.
In the tradition of such Disney sports classics as The Rookie and Remember the Titans, INVINCIBLE recounts a true-life story of human achievement in the face of adversity. The film stars Mark Wahlberg as the down-and-out Papale who is handed a once-in-a-lifetime shot at turning from anonymous football fan to football star by legendary coach DICK VERMEIL (Greg Kinnear), who sees in Papale the kind of guts and heart he hopes to build in his team. Now, up against bone-crushing training session, the intense pressure of make-or-break games and thrust into a pro sports world he had only ever imagined, Vince must find a way to transform from watching the games from the cheap seats to playing them for real stakes.
The first film in over a decade to receive full support from and access to the NFL, INVINCIBLE not only features a moving human drama and riveting lead performances, but also includes some of the most authentic recreations of NFL action yet seen on screen. So rare is NFL support for a feature film that the league has lent it only three previous times in Hollywood history – the last time was for Jerry Maguire in 1996. The other films were Brian's Song and Black Sunday.