Film Review: Friday Night Lights

Director: Peter Berg

Before the TV series Friday Night Lights became a huge hit over 5 series and Kyle Chandler won an Emmy for his performance as Coach Taylor, there was the non-fiction book by H.G. Bissinger that was converted into a movie and directed by Peter Berg. The film tries to stay a lot closer to the original text by still being set in Permian and featuring the real names of some of the players that played for Permian Panthers in 1988. The book also goes into the history of the town especially during the difficult times of forced racial integration in Texas schools.

Gary Caines (Billy Bob Thornton) addresses his players before a game

Coach Gary Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton) is under constant pressure from the boosters and fans of the town to bring success to the town of Permian through the towns high school Football team. He overuses star player James ''Boobie'' Miles (Derek Luke) who tears his ACL whilst playing and is likely to miss the playoffs. The arrogance of Boobie starts to disappear as his injury struggles to heal and he realises he might not get a scholarship to a big Football college. The team fight on without their star running back and hope to bring the State Championship back to Permian whilst the players must consider their own futures.

The film couldn't be set further away from the glitz and the glamour of the NFL, it looks candidly at the hard work and sacrifice the players make to play for their high school football team in the hope that they might land a scholarship to college. It doesn't sugarcoat the fact that the last game the players play for the team will be their last game of Football for the rest of their lives. All the blood, sweat and pain for your career to be over before you turn 18? Certainly far from glamorous.

James ''Boobie'' Miles (Derek Luke) the team's star running back

The portrayal of a small Texan town is clear and precise, about the only thing more important in the town than the Football team is God. The people of Permian were much happier with the film version of events than they were with the book which is certainly more critical of them and their beliefs. Derek Luke is superb as Boobie who has to deal with being the fallen star after injury potentially derails his entire life, Billy Bob Thornton is decent as Coach Gaines but is certainly no Kyle Chandler from the TV series.

3.5/4 great insight to small-town America and the tough world of high-school Football

PS Trivia: Roy Williams (Wide Receiver for Chicago Bears) is a Permian alumnus and appeared in the movie as an assistant coach for Midland Lee.