Draft Day is a film that so consistently insists that it works and that I wanted to like so much that it ends up being a huge bummer when the film just kind of falls flat on its face. This is not a bad film by any stretch of the imagination and consider the dread that 2014 has caused me thus far (there are some exceptions of course), this looks pretty good. However, the film too often feels like just another collection of film tropes that when it does hit the ground running, it's too little too late.
The film stars Kevin Costner as Sonny Weaver, JR, the manager of the Cleveland Browns who's stressing out over this particular day because it's time for yet another NFL draft. Things go from bad to worse when Sonny trades his team's number one pick much to the chagrin of the head coach (Denis Leary) and his recently pregnant girlfriend/co-worker (Jennifer Garner.) Sonny also has to deal with his bickering mother (Ellen Burstyn) who insists on prying about his dead father at the worst time.
I can't say that there's not a lot here to like. Costner is really good, being appropriately stilted as the manager who is both intrigued and terrified as to whether his idea will backfire or not. Garner works with what she has and gives it her all as the bitter girlfriend who must still deal with Sonny on the day of the draft. Leary and Burstyn both provide excellent comic relief as the people in Sonny's life who have no fear of questioning his decisions. As well, Frank Langella shows up for a few scenes as Sonny's boss and gives the film some much needed life. Also, the last 30 minutes of the film are as exciting of a finale as a film can have.
However, despite solid acting and a jolting last 30 minutes, the film takes so long to get to anything even remotely exciting that by the time something mildly enjoyable happened, I was already not trying to fall asleep. The film is so insistent on setting up everything that director Ivan Reitman and writers Scott Rothman and Rajiv Joseph forget that audiences paid their hard earned money for more than just people talking about football over the phone. Also, while the last 30 minutes are exciting, the way the film plays out from beginning to end has too many plot conveniences and idealized results to warrant any realism.
While I can't dismiss the potential that Draft Day had going for it and the few tricks it had up its sleeve that the film ultimately pulled off, there's also no ignoring the fact that the film is an undemanding and pleasant but ultimately dull experience for the most part.
(2 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated PG-13 for brief strong language and sexual references)
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