Can I justify disliking a film that cleans up its own mess? No matter how confusing and irritating the last hour and a half has been, can I shoot it down if it resolves its plot points and most of its issues in a clever, funny matter? For some movies, I could answer positively. "Draft Day" is not one of those movies.
Kevin Costner plays Sonny Weaver Jr., the general manager of the Cleveland Browns, desperate to make the best draft picks to satisfy everyone: from the new hot-headed coach (Denis Leary) to the team's owner (Frank Langella) to the city of Cleveland itself. Who does he choose for his first pick: a quarterback that seems too good to be true (Josh Pence), a running back with a violent rap (Arian Foster), or a little-hyped, but passionate linebacker (Chadwick Boseman)? Obstacles are thrown in Sonny's path as he tries to make up his mind before time runs out.
The low-hanging fruit for criticism is style. While the film's extravagance celebrates the NFL draft in a way fans will enjoy, the quick editing and overuse of split-screen/wipe transition leave me annoyed.
Costner does Sonny no favors: his monotone makes the burdened and frustrated manager seem like a disinterested jerk. His relationships seem forced at best: a romance with his girlfriend (Jennifer Garner) lacks chemistry, and the mean-spirited way in which he interacts with his mother (Ellen Burstwyn) and regards his recently deceased father (explained in exposition) would get me slapped.
The movie attempts to convince us Sonny has some sort of managerial sixth sense which overrules all logic, but chooses to fumble back and forth in an attempt to keep the audience guessing. Sonny spends most of the movie trying to get information about the quarterback, and is given the perfect info early in the film, but what happens? He ignores it, fumbling between unreliable sources. When he, two-thirds of the way, finally looks at it, the movie regards the news as a game-changer. Indeed it is, but did we have to meander for thirty minutes to get there?
"Draft Day" isn't devoid of good performances: Boseman comes off earnestly, Leary, while under-used, brings his sharp-tongued swagger, Griffin Newman gets some laughs as an awkward intern, and Tom Welling gains sympathies as the Browns' current quarterback, threatened by the possibility of the rookie replacing him. They support the movie well; I sigh relief every time any one of them takes attention away from Costner. They're clearly enjoying themselves, trying to make the best of their small roles.
To sum it all up, the movie suffers from a weak lead, an inconsistent plot, and jumbled focus. However, the strong resolution and supporting cast wash the bad taste out of my mouth. Football fans will likely enjoy the technicals and design (as I type this, the draft plays on TV: the movie accurately grabs the tone). However, if you're not a big sports fan, this one won't sway you. I'd say stay at home and rent "Remember the Titans" again. Thank you all for reading, I'm the Man Without A Plan, signing off.
"Draft Day" trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3SlVsdUuBY
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