By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
MICHAEL CHIKLIS LEADS INSPIRING SPORTS DRAMA "THE SENIOR"
You can chalk up another big win for
Angel Studios and their new sports drama,
"The Senior" from director
Rod Lurie ("The Outpost") and screenwriter
Robert Eisele ("Cyclone," "The Great Debaters").
The movie is based on the real-life story of
Mike Flynt (played to perfection by Michael Chiklis, TV's "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty"), a former college football player at NCAA Division III Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, who was expelled from the team in the 1970s for fighting. Nearly 30 years later, at the age of 59, Flynt decides to return, not just to finish his degree, but to actually rejoin the football team and play his final season.
Yes, "The Senior" runs a familiar playbook when it comes to sports drama tropes, but it does so with heart, sincerity, and a heavy dose of inspiration. Chiklis brings an "older Rudy-esque" energy to the role, capturing both the physical grit and emotional depth of a man unwilling to let time or regret define him.
His transformation from out-of-place old-timer to respected teammate is a journey that hits all the right emotional beats and Chiklis sells every single one.
What elevates "The Senior" is the unbelievable, real-life nature of the story. It's one of those "truth is stranger than fiction" tales that makes you shake your head in disbelief and then want to stand up and cheer.
When Flynt decided to lace up his cleats, few believed he could make it through a practice, let alone a season. His perseverance and refusal to quit shocked not only his teammates and coaches, but also inspired a nationwide audience who saw in him a reflection of their own second chances and unfinished dreams.
The supporting cast adds considerable weight to the emotional stakes. Mary Stuart Masterson ("Five Nights at Freddy's") grounds the film as Eileen, Flynt's loving but wary wife, whose faith in her husband's impossible dream grows alongside his grit. Brandon Flynn ("The Parenting") plays Micah, Mike's estranged son who never could follow in his dad's footsteps, but who watches his father's journey with a mix of confusion, anger, and ultimately admiration.
Other standout characters include Rob Corddry (TV's "Bookie") who plays the skeptical but ultimately supportive coach with just the right mix of comic relief and passion. Young teammates like Jeremy Cartwright (Corey Knight, TV's "We are Who We Are") as Jamal Johnson, (Terayle Hill, TV's "All American"), and Fernie Acosta (Chris Becerra, "Atropia") star as Flynt' s teammates who first scoff at his presence but gradually come to respect his drive, toughness, and unexpected leadership. Their evolving dynamic creates some of the film’s most satisfying and even humorous moments.
Whether you're a fan of underdog sports movies or simply drawn to inspiring true stories, don't discount "The Senior."
It's a heartfelt reminder that age is just a number and that it's never too late to chase your dreams, even when it feels like the clock has already run out.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Go Ahead And Watch This Trailer For
"THE SENIOR"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
