80 voglia di Brady

I don't know someone these reviews were expecting Oscar nominee performances in this movie- it was very clearly just going to be a fluffy cute movie. So with that being said, was it cute and fluffy? Yes. Did I giggle at some parts? Yes. Was it cheesy and unbelievable in many moments? Yes. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Would I watch it again? No. It was entertaining enough and definitely something you can put on while also doing chores around the house. Sally field and the lady with the short hairdo were my favorite. I'm definitely going to be the one with the short hairdo in my elder years lol anyway, if you don't go in with expectations of this being the funniest movie you've ever seen, you'll enjoy it.

I was in one of those moods where I wanted to watch something, but I really didn't want to put must effort into what I was watching. I had seen 80 for Brady advertised, I love Sally Field, so I thought I would give it a go. I was not disappointed.

It is about 4 elderly women obsessed with American Football and Brady, who then decide to go to the Super Bowl. (Based loosely on a true story) I am not a huge fan of Jane Fonda) she is tolerable in this story, she always plays the same character in these films.

It was a fun, easy way to spend 90 minutes. There was a few laughs a long the way, it was enjoyable.

I admit, when this movie was being advertised just about two years ago I told myself I had zero interest in seeing it. And I made no effort to see it. Until today when my wife and I were looking for something to stream.

Now I can confidently say "This movie is a lot better than I thought it would be" and that is always a welcome surprise. A bonus is that it was inspired by a true story of four elderly Tom Brady fans going to Superbowl 51 in Houston (where we happen to live for the past 38 years).

The gist of the story is, these four friends call themselves "80 For Brady" because most of them are over 80 and all of them are big Brady fans and Patriots fans. They even have special jerseys they wear when watching games on TV, all with number 12 on them.

It is 2017 and the Superbowl 51 in Houston is coming up. Two local radio jockeys have a contest, the best story from the fans will win four tickets to the game. A few days later one of the ladies produces four tickets and they are off.

Part of the humor here is that not everything goes smoothly. But the four veteran actresses are in fine form and a fantasy conclusion to the game, which required the Patriots to come back from a big deficit, is entertaining. Actual NFL footage from that game is used, and several Patriots players, including Brady and Gronk, are characters in the locker-room after the game. In fact Brady was the producer for the movie.

Good entertainment, inspired by real people and real events, what's not to like?

A fun, feel good movie and we aren't even football fans. All four of the leading ladies bring their special talent to their roles. However, Sally Fields and Rita Marino really shine. There are some amusing guest appearances as well. If you grew up watching these ladies in old movies as I did, it think you will find it especially charming to see that age doesn't have to mean you become boring. And for Rita Marino to be so active and lovely at 92 is an inspiration. I know nothing about football but still found the story to throroughly enjoyable especially when I found out it was based on a true story.

From the trailers, I was expecting this to be a very obnoxious, clunky movie. I'm happily surprised to have been mostly wrong about that.

Yes, it is often melodramatic. Yes, it has a plot as thin as rice paper. Yes, it's directed and edited in a way that looks like a cheap made-for-tv movie.

But I didn't care. Because what handily saves this movie is the chemistry between its four aged-yet-still-talented actresses. They embody their characters distinctly and charmingly, and from the first few scenes I was thoroughly convinced of the authenticity of their friendship.

Their dynamic carries this lighthearted experience and makes it an engaging, and often legitimately hilarious, one.