Anyone else seen "Friday Night Lights"?

[southlandshari]

This movie really, really moved me when I saw it when it was first released. There was so much humanity revealed in the telling of the story of this west Texas high school football team, its coach, the players and their families. It just seemed like such a truthful and painful depiction of what high school football is like in so many small towns across rural America.

Another inspiring movie could have been made about the team that opposed them in the TX high school football finals that year (Carter H.S., an inner city school in either Dallas or Houston, I can't remember). This side of the story just happened to be told first.

I'm posting now because FNL is coming on cable shortly (Starz, 4:00 pm central time), and I am looking forward to watching it again.

Am interested in hearing from others who have seen the film and have comments about it!

:hi:

[texas1928]

1. I grew up in Texas and in the area where that story took place.

So I saw that team play, and heard their stories. It is something that brings back some good and bad memories. My wife cringes when she sees the previews, cause she went to a school that was trounced by them.

[southlandshari]

2. Were you guys in high school

around the time of the season that the movie focuses on? I can't remember which season it was, probably after your time in high school.

I am watching the movie as I type, and I think what is so striking about it to me is that not one of the characters in the film, the players in the actual true story, is depicted as a hero in any way, shape or form. I suppose some might find the movie kind of depressing. I just find it to be so REAL, and that is so rare, in these days of sensationalized, fictionalized depictions of "true stories" out of Hollywood.

Looking forward to college football season - thanks again for helping to start this DU Group!

[texas1928]

3. That movie was based on the 1988 team.

I was in High school, actually I got shot that year. I remember that team very well. My wife was in Junior High. But she was going to the games and probably saw that one, she can not remember for sure. But San Angelo Central graduates, have a bad feeling for Permian.

[southlandshari]

4. Ok - that's a story I want to hear

You got shot in high school? Yikes!

I was just out of high school at this time. How weird it must be to see a major movie made about people you know, or at least came into casual contact with if only from being in the same place at the same time.

Now I'm going to have to watch the movie AGAIN to see the depiction of a game between Permian and San Angelo.

Do tell the shooting story, if you are so willing. You brought it up, I can't help but ask...

:-)

[October]

5. The Book

My husband and I have seen the movie twice. He says the book is even better.