American Underdog

{{Short description|2021 sports drama film directed by the Erwin Brothers}}

{{About|the film|the book American Underdog: Proof That Principles Matter|Dave Brat#Publications|the album|American Underdog (album)}}

{{Infobox film

| image = American Underdog.jpg

| alt = A football player prepares to throw the ball.

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = {{Plainlist|

}}

| producer = {{Plainlist|

Kevin Downes
Andrew Erwin
Jon Erwin
Mark Ciardi

}}

| writer = {{Plainlist|

Jon Erwin
David Aaron Cohen
Jon Gunn

}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| music = John Debney

| cinematography = Kristopher Kimlin

| editing = {{Plainlist|

Sean Albertson
Andrew Erwin

}}

| studio = {{plainlist|

Kingdom Story Company
Erwin Brothers Entertainment
City on a Hill Productions

}}

| distributor = Lionsgate

| released = {{Film date|2021|12|15|TCL Chinese Theatre|2021|12|25|United States}}

| runtime = 112 minutes

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget = $25 million

| gross = $26.5 million

}}

American Underdog is a 2021 American biographical sports film about National Football League (NFL) quarterback Kurt Warner. Directed by Andrew and Jon Erwin, the film follows Warner's journey as an undrafted player who ascended to winning Super Bowl XXXIV.{{cite web|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|title=Zachary Levi To Play Football Hall Of Famer Kurt Warner In 'American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story'|url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/zachary-levi-kurt-warner-lionsgate-american-underdog-the-kurt-warner-story-1202975106/|website=Deadline Hollywood|language=en-US|date=July 1, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020}} It stars Zachary Levi as Warner, alongside Anna Paquin as his wife Brenda and Dennis Quaid as his head coach Dick Vermeil.

The film was released theatrically in the United States on December 25, 2021, by Lionsgate. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and grossed over $26 million. American Underdog was nominated for the GMA Dove Award for Inspirational Film/Series of the Year at the 2022 GMA Dove Awards.{{cite web |url= https://www.thechristianbeat.org/watch-nominations-for-53rd-annual-gma-dove-awards-announced/ |title= Watch: Nominations For 53rd Annual GMA Dove Awards Announced - TCB |last= Longs |first= Herb |date= August 10, 2022 |website= The Christian Beat |access-date= October 9, 2022}}

Plot

A young Kurt Warner watches Super Bowl XIX. He then makes a lifelong commitment to becoming a Super Bowl and MVP quarterback.

Several years later, Kurt is playing his fifth year for the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Panthers with coach Terry Allen, and nothing is going Warner's way. Allen threatens to bench him after repeatedly not heeding his coaching, which would effectively end Warner's NFL dream. After a brutal practice following the coach's orders, Kurt continues to be the starter and his numbers climb to where he could have a chance at the Draft.

Meanwhile, Kurt becomes interested in a woman he sees dancing at a country bar, so decides to learn how to dance to impress her. Brenda is a single mom with two kids and is a nursing student who is struggling financially. Even though she doesn't think it will work out, Kurt is persistent, walking three miles to her house to get her number. He finds out she was a Marine corporal. Kurt instantly bonds with her disabled son, convincing her they should be together.

With his last season of college football over, Kurt anxiously awaits the draft. He doesn't get picked and wonders why God gave him a dream that he would never obtain. Later, the Green Bay Packers give him the chance to try out, but it goes badly and Kurt goes home dejected. Becoming homeless, he moves into Brenda's basement. He takes a job at a Hy-Vee grocery store, working nights stocking shelves. He discovers success is not found on the football field, but how one acts when confronted with disappointment.

Brenda's parents sell the house and move to another state, putting them in a tough situation, and the couple continue to struggle. At one point, their car runs out of gas and Kurt walks several miles in the snow to get gas.

Kurt gets approached by Jim Foster, who offers him the quarterback position for the Arena Football League's Iowa Barnstormers. Kurt agrees after discovering no one in the NFL is interested in him.

Arena football is different. The field is smaller and the play is much more fast-paced. He loses his first game but wins the next. Kurt and Brenda's relationship is strained from the long commute, and they briefly break up. Brenda's parents are killed in a tornado and she and Kurt decide to get back together. They marry and Kurt finishes the 1996 Arena Football League season with the Iowa Barnstormers in ArenaBowl X, a heartbreaking loss when his completed pass on the last play of the game comes up one yard short of the end zone.

Kurt is invited to another tryout for the St. Louis Rams. He doesn't think he will make it; he is having to re-adjust to normal football. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz berates him relentlessly for every mistake. Head Coach, Dick Vermeil, believes in him and tells Kurt he made the team. When starting quarterback Trent Green goes down with an injury in the 1999 NFL preseason, Kurt eventually takes his place.

In his first game, Kurt and the Rams face a strong Baltimore Ravens defense led by linebacker Ray Lewis. After a turnover on his first drive, Kurt picks the Ravens' defense apart. With a 27–10 lead, the Rams go into victory formation, and Warner takes a knee to end the game. He immediately gives thanks to God for the opportunity and kisses Brenda in the stands.

The Rams post a 13–3 record that season, becoming known as The Greatest Show on Turf due to the high-powered, Warner-led offense. The Rams went on to defeat the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV. During the game, Kurt breaks Joe Montana's record for throwing the most passing yards in a Super Bowl. Doing so helped him win Super Bowl MVP and be crowned the NFL MVP, making him the first undrafted player to be named either of those in NFL history.

The credits show that he would play in two other Super Bowls, Super Bowl XXXVI and Super Bowl XLIII. He becomes enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017, and he and Brenda continue to live happily married, with seven children.

Cast

{{Cast listing|

Zachary Levi as Kurt Warner
Anna Paquin as Brenda Mooni
Ser'Darius Blain as Mike Hudnutt
Bruce McGill as Jim Foster
Hayden Zaller as Zack
Chance Kelly as Mike Martz
Dennis Quaid as Dick Vermeil
Adam Baldwin as Coach Allen
Cindy Hogan as Sue Warner
Danny Vinson as Larry
McKylin Rowe as Marshall
Simeon Castille as Isaac Bruce}}

Production

A biopic about Kurt Warner was announced in February 2020, when Andrew and Jon Erwin were hired to direct the film, under the title American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story.[https://deadline.com/2020/02/american-underdog-the-kurt-warner-story-jon-erwin-andrew-erwin-david-aaron-cohen-1202851291/ Erwin Brothers To Direct Kurt Warner Biopic, 'Friday Night Lights' Scribe David Aaron Cohen To Write] In September 2020, it was announced Zachary Levi would star as Warner.{{Cite web|date=2020-08-15|title=Why 'Shazam' star was cast as NFL QB by Alabama filmmakers|author=Garrison, Greg|url=https://www.al.com/life/2020/08/shazam-star-zachary-levi-cast-as-kurt-warner-by-alabama-filmmakers.html|access-date=2020-09-14|website=al|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Zachary Levi to play NFL's Kurt Warner in new film|url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Movies/2020/07/02/Zachary-Levi-to-play-NFLs-Kurt-Warner-in-new-film/4981593697696/|access-date=2020-09-14|website=UPI|language=en|author=Martin, Annie|date=July 2, 2020}} In January 2021, Anna Paquin and Dennis Quaid were among the additional cast added to the film.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/anna-paquin-zachary-levi-american-underdog-the-kurt-warner-story-1234673140/|title=Anna Paquin Set To Star In 'American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story' Opposite Zachary Levi|date=January 13, 2021|author1=Amanda N'Duka|author2=Anthony D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=January 13, 2021}}[https://deadline.com/2021/01/dennis-quaid-virginia-madsen-american-underdog-the-kurt-warner-story-lionsgate-kingdom-story-company-1234676423/ Dennis Quaid, Virginia Madsen Plus More Board 'Kurt Warner' Biopic From Lionsgate And Kingdom Story Company]

Filming began on January 25, 2021, and concluded on March 6. Shooting occurred in Atlanta and Oklahoma City.[https://productionlist.com/production/american-underdog-the-kurt-warner-story/ American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story] The film's title was later shortened to American Underdog, with the release of the film's marketing and the announcement of the Christmas release date.

Release

The film was released on December 25, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/american-underdog-release-date-zachary-levi-kurt-warner-movie/|title='American Underdog': New Release Date Revealed for Kurt Warner Biopic Starring Zachary Levi|work=Collider|first=John|last=Lutz|date=August 27, 2021|access-date=August 29, 2021}} It was previously scheduled to be released on December 18, 2021,{{cite web|url=https://www.therams.com/news/kurt-warner-movie-set-to-hit-theaters-dec-10-first-look-unveiled|title=American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story set to hit theaters Dec. 10, first look unveiled|date=July 7, 2021|author=Stu Jackson|website=Los Angeles Rams|access-date=September 6, 2021}} but was delayed from a previous December 10, 2021 date, due to the delayed filming schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|last=Renner|first=Brian D.|title=Everything You Need to Know About American Underdog (2021): Jul. 16, 2020 - added Zachary Levi as Kurt Warner to movie credits|url=https://www.movieinsider.com/m18215/american-underdog-the-kurt-warner-story|access-date=2020-09-15|website=Movie Insider|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-09-01|title=2021 New Movie Releases: The Full Movie Release Date Schedule For Next Year|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2553658/2021-new-movie-releases-the-full-movie-release-date-schedule|access-date=2020-09-14|website=CINEMABLEND}}{{Cite web|date=2020-04-25|title=Updated List Of Major Movie Release Delays And Early Digital Releases Due To Coronavirus|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2491782/updated-list-of-major-movie-release-delays-and-early-digital-releases-due-to-coronavirus|access-date=2020-09-14|website=CINEMABLEND}} The film premiered at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on December 15, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.averagesocialite.com/la-events/2021/12/15/american-underdog-premiere-la|title = American Underdog Premiere, la| date=15 December 2021 }}

=Home media=

The film was released on digital rent on February 4, 2022, and was released through Blu-ray and DVD on February 22, 2022.{{Cite web | url=https://collider.com/american-underdog-blu-ray-release-date/amp/ | title='American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story' Sets a Blu-ray Release Date | website=Collider | date=19 January 2022 }}

Reception

= Box office =

In the United States and Canada, American Underdog grossed $26.5{{nbsp}}million at the box office,{{Cite Box Office Mojo |access-date=2023-07-22}} against a budget of $25.0{{nbsp}}million.{{cite web|url=https://www.jasonsmovieblog.com/2022/02/01/american-underdog-2021-review/comment-page-1/amp/|title=American Underdog (2021) Review|website=www.jasonsmovieblog.com|date=February 1, 2022|access-date=September 12, 2022}} It was given a wide release in 2,814 theatres, in competition with A Journal for Jordan and the wide expansion of Licorice Pizza. After making about $1 million from advanced screenings the week prior to its official opening,{{cite news |title=With 'Spider-Man' Hoarding Christmas Box Office, Is There Room For 'Matrix', 'Sing 2' & 'King's Man'? |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |date=December 21, 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood |url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/spider-man-no-way-home-christmas-box-office-matrix-resurrections-sing-2-1234901560/ |access-date=December 21, 2021}} it spent seven weeks in the Top 10 at the box office.{{cite web |title=American Underdog {{!}} Domestic Weekly |website=Box Office Mojo |publisher=IMDb |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1035239937/weekly/?ref_=bo_rl_tab#tabs |access-date=2023-07-22}}

=Critical response=

{{RT prose|{{RT data|score}}|{{RT data|average}}|{{RT data|count}}|American Underdog sticks to the standard inspirational sports drama playbook—and proves once again that it can be very effective in the right hands.|ref=yes|access-date=2023-07-22}} {{MC film|53|14|ref=yes|access-date=2023-07-22}}

Comparisons to real events

A few events from Warner's actual career were either omitted or different in the film. While the film is correct in showing Kurt Warner's first game as the starting quarterback was the Rams' 1999 season opener against the Ravens, it stayed silent on his brief play late in the Rams' week 17 game of their 1998 season against the 49ers,{{cite web |title=St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers - December 27th, 1998 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199812270sfo.htm |access-date=2023-07-22}} completing four of his eleven attempts for 39 yards.{{cite web |title=Kurt Warner Game Logs |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WarnKu00.htm |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} Warner had technically been part of the Rams longer than Trent Green, though veteran Green was signed in February 1999 to play with the Rams,{{cite news |title=Green is in, and Banks is out |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |last=Thomas |first=Jim |date=February 16, 1999 |page=C1 |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB05176B86CD7A3&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |access-date=November 30, 2008}} while arena player Warner had signed with the Rams as a prospect in December 1997 and was dispatched to the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe, rather than kept for the Rams training camp.{{cite web |title=Two Players That Prove Cancelling NFL Europe Was a Bad Idea |url=https://www.americanfootballinternational.com/two-players-that-prove-cancelling-nfl-europe-was-a-bad-idea/ |website=AmericanFootballInternational.com|date=5 December 2019 }}