Two Days in April

I thought this was going to be another lifeless, NFL films type of documentary, but instead you get an insider's view into the stressful and exciting world of future NFL prospects working to achieve their dreams. You really start to pull for these young men as they take you behind the scenes and you see what they go through as well as get a glimpse into their families, etc. If you don't start to shed some tears when they show draft day then you must not be human! A GREAT doc for all football fans and non-fans alike, families will also enjoy this because there isn't anything racy, overall I came away very impressed and entertained!

I learned quite a bit about the draft process that college football players go through--and this is probably the most interesting thing about this film. Believe it or not, most of their college career turns out to count for very little and the process by which they are assessed does seem a bit like watching people buying cars! However, the film also seemed, at times, like a promotional film for the IMG Academy and their services.

The film centers on four NFL prospects who all worked with IMG to help them train and best present themselves in the upcoming draft. Travis Wilson, Clint Ingram, DonTrell Moore and Derek Hagen are not typical of the guys you usually associate with the draft. It's unlikely any of them will go in the first round but they are expected to be drafted in the mid to late rounds--and these sort of guys often get very little attention from the media. The film tracks their efforts and follows them through the draft days. And, by the film ends, you learn a tiny bit about their first forays into the NFL. However, since this came out on video shortly after the draft, you will need to read up on the guys to find out how well they eventually did.

As a life-long football fan (though a casual one compared to how some fans are), the rating & synopsis made me jump at the opportunity to check out Don Argott's documentary about a few prospective NFL players and their time before the draft.

These players were all top-level at some point (or all points) throughout their college career and they are all possessing the genuine chance to enter the league. . . after four years of college, four years of high school, Pop Warner, touch, tag, backyard, sandlot, everything. . . it comes down to "Two Days in April." With desperation and drama, humour and sadness, excitement and success, "Two Days in April" is a fantastic documentary that will fascinate football fans and non-fans alike.

Final Verdict: 8/10.

-AP3-