Invincible
By: Goldie Robins
Philadelphia 1975. Heavy snow coming down hard at the Eagles stadium while they are getting crushed by the Bengals, 31-0. Typical Philadelphia sports fans are screaming and booing their beloved team. Moments later, the Eagles lose which leaves the fans in their normal disappointment.
Invincible is not your typical sports film. Based on a true story, 30-year old Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg) did everything to not follow, “You will never go anywhere. You will never make any money. You will never make a name for yourself” a note his now ex wife left him.
Vince Papale (Wahlberg) could not catch a break. First, getting let go as a substitute teacher due to budget cuts then his wife leaving him, he was left to ask his friend, Max (Michael Rispoli) who owned Max’s bar to pick up more hours. This was all so he could attempt to get enough money to keep up with bills and pay rent. He and his South Philly clan were die hard Eagles fans and played their own pick up football games as much as they could. Papale's character development and his eventual ability to overcome obstacles was shown skillfully in camera work, lighting, and sound.
Throughout the film the lighting was on the darker side. As I continued watching, it had this desaturated feeling to it. I knew there had to be a deeper meaning to it, but until I reached the end of the film, I started to get annoyed how it wasn’t lit. I felt like I had to higher the brightness or turn on a light in my room, but sadly that was not the case and it didn’t help.
When the new Eagles coach, Dick Vermeil (Greg Kinnear) had his first press conference he announced open tryouts, trying not to sound too desperate for finding a winning team. All of Papale’s friends finally convince him to go, knowing that he’s such a great football player. He was on of the only ones who attended these tryouts not gasping for air with a huge beer belly or overweight and on the ground looking inferior then others. Papale actually had skills.
There is definitely a connection you have with the characters while watching. I am not sure if this is just because it is based on a true story (especially as a Philadelphia native) or the fact that the camera work made you feel there. The camera was always panning and getting some nice up close shots. Some of my favorites were when Papale (Wahlberg) was walking down the little South Philadelphia streets and it would either go from really up close to a wide shot of walking away or really far away to finally get close walking towards the camera. It was never in the view of the actor, which made it interesting angles and perspectives throughout the whole film.
Finally, by the end of the film, the lighting got brighter. The last shot, was when Papale scored a touchdown and it was a low angle shot looking up from the field with him in the foreground and the fans in the stadium cheering behind him. It was bright and normal. This made me realize that the desaturated look was a metaphor of how things were going, it was dark and gloomy and as his life progressed so did the lighting.
If you are a Philadelphian and a die hard Eagles fan just like myself it is enjoyable and definitely intriguing. There were many elements to the film that made it a quality movie. The growth and progress of Papale was easily shown with the camera work, lighting, and sounds they decided to use. Also, who can resist the looks and talent of Mark Wahlberg?
Invincible is not your typical sports film. Based on a true story, 30-year old Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg) did everything to not follow, “You will never go anywhere. You will never make any money. You will never make a name for yourself” a note his now ex wife left him.
Vince Papale (Wahlberg) could not catch a break. First, getting let go as a substitute teacher due to budget cuts then his wife leaving him, he was left to ask his friend, Max (Michael Rispoli) who owned Max’s bar to pick up more hours. This was all so he could attempt to get enough money to keep up with bills and pay rent. He and his South Philly clan were die hard Eagles fans and played their own pick up football games as much as they could. Papale's character development and his eventual ability to overcome obstacles was shown skillfully in camera work, lighting, and sound.
Throughout the film the lighting was on the darker side. As I continued watching, it had this desaturated feeling to it. I knew there had to be a deeper meaning to it, but until I reached the end of the film, I started to get annoyed how it wasn’t lit. I felt like I had to higher the brightness or turn on a light in my room, but sadly that was not the case and it didn’t help.
When the new Eagles coach, Dick Vermeil (Greg Kinnear) had his first press conference he announced open tryouts, trying not to sound too desperate for finding a winning team. All of Papale’s friends finally convince him to go, knowing that he’s such a great football player. He was on of the only ones who attended these tryouts not gasping for air with a huge beer belly or overweight and on the ground looking inferior then others. Papale actually had skills.
There is definitely a connection you have with the characters while watching. I am not sure if this is just because it is based on a true story (especially as a Philadelphia native) or the fact that the camera work made you feel there. The camera was always panning and getting some nice up close shots. Some of my favorites were when Papale (Wahlberg) was walking down the little South Philadelphia streets and it would either go from really up close to a wide shot of walking away or really far away to finally get close walking towards the camera. It was never in the view of the actor, which made it interesting angles and perspectives throughout the whole film.
Finally, by the end of the film, the lighting got brighter. The last shot, was when Papale scored a touchdown and it was a low angle shot looking up from the field with him in the foreground and the fans in the stadium cheering behind him. It was bright and normal. This made me realize that the desaturated look was a metaphor of how things were going, it was dark and gloomy and as his life progressed so did the lighting.
If you are a Philadelphian and a die hard Eagles fan just like myself it is enjoyable and definitely intriguing. There were many elements to the film that made it a quality movie. The growth and progress of Papale was easily shown with the camera work, lighting, and sounds they decided to use. Also, who can resist the looks and talent of Mark Wahlberg?