'Draft Day' Offers An Exciting Take On The High-stakes NFL Draft
DETROIT (WWJ) - If you've ever wondered what it's like behind the scenes of the NFL Draft, the new movie Draft Day lays it all out for you. It shows the highs, the lows, and the behind-the-scenes negotiating that leads up to the draft.
Kevin Costner stars in Draft Day as Sonny Weaver, general manager of the Cleveland Browns, who has an opportunity to rebuild his team when he trades for the number one pick. But there's more at stake than just the team. Weaver's personal life is also hanging in the balance: his relationship with his mom, his ex-wife and his girlfriend, Ali (Jennifer Garner).
In the hours leading up to the draft, Weaver also walks a fine line in his relationship with Coach Penn (Denis Leary) and with team owner Anthony Molina (Frank Langella), both of whom have their own ideas on which players they feel they need in order to make the Browns a championship-caliber team.
The high-stakes at the heart of the draft combined with the drama that unfolds in Weaver's personal life is what makes this movie so exciting to watch. The movie also follows players who have spent their entire lives playing football, hoping to one day hear their names called during the draft; their families; and agents who have a lot to gain – or a lot to lose, depending on when – or if – the players they represent are drafted.
Every one of the actors delivers stellar performances, and that includes Ellen Burstyn as Barb Weaver (Sonny's mother); Sean Combs as anxious agent Chris Crawford; and look out for Chadwick Boseman, who delivers a powerful performance as NFL-hopeful Vontae Mack. If you saw "42 - The Jackie Robinson Story," you'll remember Boseman for his starring role as the lead character in that critically-acclaimed film.
Several NFL players are featured in Draft Day, including Demario Davis, James Brewer, Ramses Barden, Zoltan Mesko, and Stephen Hill, along with retired NFL player Terry Crews as Earl Jennings. Also appearing in the film are NFL and ESPN on‐air talent Rich Eisen, Mike Mayock, Deion Sanders, Chris Berman, Mel Kiper and
Jon Grudenalso.
Whether you're a football aficionado, a casual fan or you just want to see a good movie, Draft Day has what you're looking for.
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