2006, Walt Disney Pictures, Dir. Ericson Core - Starring Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, Elizabeth Banks, Michael Rispoli, Kirk Acevedo, Sal Darigo, Michael Kelly, Michael Nouri, Franklin Ojeda Smith, Lola Glaudini, Rod Britton, Brian Scott Fitzgerald, Kyle Klaus

Sports movies are rarely not about personal struggle, so Invincible could be branded as another run-of-the-mill inspirational piece. It has some weak characterization at times, occasionally off-putting dialogue, and lots of slow-motion bone-crunching images for NFL fans out there. And you know what else it has? Heart. Plenty of it, in fact - enough for this old cynic to enjoy the film. Its intent is not for our hero to “make a name for himself” or “get revenge on those who look down on him.” Vince Papale, played by Mark Wahlberg, is a sympathetic, good-natured guy with little to not like. Living in Philly during the bicentennial year was rough of the people, leaving ordinary guys like Vince unemployed and up crap’s creek. Director Ericson Core captures - oddly enough, for a debut - the stereotypical air of a warm Philadephia evening, picking shots from its industrial lots to the dusty stickball sandlots. These shady locales set the mood for Invincible, a film rooted in its heritage and era. It’s a film that football fanatics and suckers for Rudyesque finales alike with appreciate, with a couple of decent performances to tag along with it.

Vince Papale (Wahlberg) is a bartender and substitute teacher living in Philadelphia in 1976, along with his wife of five years Sharon (Glaudini). After being laid of from his teaching job due to education budget cuts, a self-centered Sharon leaves Vince with nothing at all. The young man starts putting in more hours at the bar, run by his friend Max (Rispoli). Meanwhile, his favorite home team - the Eagles, duh - have suffered from enough terrible losses during last season. The new coach, Dick Vermeil (Kinnear), has decided to create buzz by having open tryouts for a new receiver on the team. Vince’s friends, assured by his great talent at football, persuade him heavily to try out. Vince is wary, having only played two years of high school football and nothing more - but when his father gives him a few inspirational words, the young barkeep hits the stadium. Vermeil is so impressed by Papale’s act that he not only keep on for training, but starts knocking other players off to keep him attached. Vince’s rags-to-riches story is invigorated by the loss of Sharon, his love interest Janet (Banks, playing Max’s niece), and the spirit of Philadephia.

Wahlberg embraces the simplistic role of Papale, creating the sympathetic and earnest rookie that the audiences expects. But there is something about Vince, something that sets him apart from the other B-list protagonists that littered Friday Night Lights and Remember the Titans. It’s not heart, but some relentless courage to stand against those knocking him down - on or off the field. When Vince’s wife leaves him, her final note is kept with him at all times. Ending with the line “you’ll never amount to anything”, it’s Vince’s final response to the letter that gives the film a subtle emotional touch. Biographically, Marky Mark’s portrayal does not stray far from the real Papale, and gives an honest performance. Having seen the talented Greg Kinnear in Little Miss Sunshine, his role isn’t as praiseworthy in Invincible, but works in tune with the production. The legendary Dick Vermeil looks like Mr. Brady from the eyes of Ericson Core, but his on-screen friendship with Papale is believable. The lovely Elizabeth Banks has some cute, obligatory chemistry with Wahlberg, and Kevin Conway’s portrayal of Vince’s dad is heartwarming, albeit its cheesiness.

The film’s story is true to its advertising. Invincible is not made for solely showing some eye-popping football stunts, but for telling the tale of Papale. Roughly 80 percent of the final cut is dedicated to showing Vince’s road to success, from making the rookie line-up to training cuts. This is primarily Wahlberg’s vehicle, with Rispoli and Conway serving as the Philadelphia homage. Unlike other football movies of its type, Invincible is really created with the intent of dissecting the player - seeing his struggles and recoveries, cookie-cutter style. It could also be characterized as a family film, as it does not contain a vicious sidestory. When Wahlberg’s on the field, the camera flairs with action. When in the bar, he’s on city-boy mode, letting the Springsteen music tell the story itself. Core keeps a steady pace on the young player, but lets the action cut abruptly. The film ends on a joyous note, but leaves the audience wanting something more. A Super Bowl win? An MVP award? Maybe those weren’t written in the bio of Vince Papale, so perhaps I’ll have to give kudos to the writer.

Regardless, Invincible works. It’s so warm, that its heart is dipped in steaming fondue. Sure, maybe some might appreciate the cheese, because I did. For a non-sports fanatic like myself, Papale was an engaging character and a worthwhile excuse for 2 hours of my time.