CAPTION FOR PHOTO: A tense scrimmage is played in Oliver Stone's drama
"Any Given Sunday," starring Al Pacino and Cameron Diaz, from Warner
Bros.
Ending saves film
Charlie Bauman of Glendale is a janitor at a Glendale printing
company.
The first three-quarters of the way through "Any Given Sunday" left me
feeling like I had been chewed up by one of the sharks for which the
football team in this movie is named.
The movie's point of view seems very cynical and most of the
characters are unlikable.
But just in time for the big game, a change in the movie's tone
occurs. The major characters learn from their mistakes, mature, and grow
and Al Pacino's character gives a great speech to unite the team. This
last-minute effort by the filmmakers won me over.
Great symbolism
Mike Arvizu of Glendale is a student at Glendale Community College and
sound designer for the GCC Theater Guild.
The film immortalizes football by including overwhelming action scenes
that squeeze the juice out of a game known for its powerful images of
blood, sweat, winning glory, and the never-ending greed that goes into
such a competitive sport.
These images are supposed to represent the barely controlled anarchy
that is present throughout the film. This film's symbolism, which is one
of the aspects that makes it a good film to watch, is evident even by its
title. It shows that life in unpredictable and we all need to compensate
each day for its unpredictability and that on any given Sunday, you can
taste the sweetness of victory or the bitterness of defeat. It's a
picture worth full price.
