Movie: American Underdog (Opening Christmas Day 2021)

I watched a preview of the movie "American Underdog" and was wowed by the quality of the acting. Based on the story of Kurt Warner's rise from a rejected football player to become the MVP at the NFL, the film inspires us not to give up on our dreams. The movie begins with statistics. Each year, over a million young boys dream of going to the NFL. Out of this pool, only 10% get a fair shot to be drafted. Out of this 10%, less than 1% is eventually drafted. What was amazing is that Warner was undrafted, and yet able to join the NFL eventually. How is the movie inspiring? Let me summarize it in three ways.

First, it encourages people never to give up on their dreams. There are many instances of how the seemingly impossible becomes possible. A young boy who is blind who dreams of driving a black truck gets a taste of fulfilling his dream when he manages to command a lawn mover in the garden. A divorced mother who has literally given up hope of finding a man to accept her and her two kids found the love of her life. Even in the coldest winter weather, when there is no gas in the tank, and the nearest gas station is many miles away, it is still possible to run on foot, beg for a jerry can, and carry gas all the way back to the car to save the family. Even the coach who appears to be an enemy at first sight, is in fact one who is secretly preparing the candidate to be ready for the big occasion. The most important reminder of all is to learn to recognize when the time is indeed our time. Lesson: Believe we are called, and once we believe we are called, we will not easily give up on our dreams.

Second, it is down to earth. The film tugs at the heart of many because it enables viewers to identify the many daily challenges of life. The Mid-West is the heartland of the United States. Many people do struggle with basic bread and butter issues. Things such as saving money by not turning on the heater on a cold winter, using food stamps, or trying to make ends meet by working in entry jobs. Amid these struggles, there are opportunities that we cannot simply dismiss. In fact, opportunities, no matter how humble they look can one day prepare us for our big break. For example, Warner's willingness to accept a role in the less glamourous Arena Football League prepares him for a bigger stage to come. If he had refused that role, he might have never been spotted by football scouts in the first place. Lesson: We need to be humble and to know that anything done for God's glory is never in vain.

Third, it is a film of second chances. Success never comes easy. Warner's initial joy at being selected by the Packers was quickly extinguished when he was let go in two days because of his hesitancy to listen to the coach. He learns quickly not to commit the same mistake again. We all need second chances. With God, there will always be second chances open to us. That is the reason for hope. When the going gets tough, keep going because God will open the way one day. We just need to prepare ourselves for our big break which will come. Brenda too had her second chance at marriage. Her kids too had a second chance at having a loving father. This is by far the single biggest reason to watch the movie. God gives us many chances to come to Him, to receive His love. Lesson: We need faith to believe, and we need to believe in faith.

Targeted to open in cinemas on Christmas Day, this film is a powerful inspiration to supplement the message of Christmas, that is, hope in Jesus Christ. Jesus came as a humble baby, worked as a regular carpenter, and grew up to be a powerful testimony for all. He is God's gift for the world. This movie shines a subtle light to that message.

conrade

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This movie preview has been provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications, FaithFilms, and LionsGate without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.