As a graduate of Ole Miss, runningback Gale Sayers is selected to join the Chicago Bears and enter into a backfield that includes the talented but aging Brian Piccolo. While their first interaction was an awkward one and their relationship rocky through a series of practical jokes, an evening encounter allows the pair to get a more authentic understanding of the other’s passion for the sport, guiding them to become friends. With their relationship catching the attention of the coaching staff, Gale gets warned about their decision to have the two men room together, which would be the first time that a white and black player would share their lodging. While the team experiences some success to start the session, medical issues with both men threaten the team’s success and their desires to get back on the field. As both strive for their individual recoveries, they inspire each other to succeed.
Starring: James Caan (Brian Piccolo), Billy Dee Williams (Gale Sayers), Jack Warden (Coach George Halas), Bernie Casey (JC Caroline), Shelley Fabares (Joy Piccolo), Judy Pace (Linda Sayers), David Huddleston (Ed McCaskey)
The acting in this film was interesting in its combination of feeling a little unrefined but lighthearted at the same time. James Caan’s representation of Brian Piccolo is that of a bit of a jokester. While there are a few moments of frustration in his worries about his ability to continue playing the game, he is a fast-talking, hard-working man who strives to serve as inspiration to a fellow footballer. Billy Dee Williams plays the role with a sense of quiet calm, except for the occasional outburst. In the end, the two actors play their characters as both complementary and opposite in order to push the larger theme of difference. Jack Warden is a little more of the loud-mouth coach. Both Shelley Fabares and Judy Pace provide a solid supporting role in their representation of the modest partners of athletes.
While a second version of the film was done in the early 2000s, Buzz Kulik’s focus on the theme of difference and strength was well represented. After the two men got past their petty differences, they developed a rather strong friendship. There were no real struggles that were presented from their teammates or even outside forces, though the film clearly wanted to highlight the importance of their placement together coming from two difference racial backgrounds. Instead, the focus turned to the friendship and how it helped to sustain them during their difficult periods. Gale’s injury came with an extended recovery period and a seemingly debilitating mental struggle. Brian pushed him to reconsider his stubbornness and supported his recovery back onto the field, highlighting that his recovery would help him return to the field and provide the necessary competition to challenge him to the fullest. When Brian became the one with the medical challenges, their relationship transformed to be more about emotionally supporting each other in a career-ending situation.
Brian’s Song was in reference to his alma mater, Wake Forest, and their fight song. When he sings this in the cafeteria at the beginning of the film, it is masked by practical joke that Gale is playing out to get revenge against Brian’s initial hazing. This actually serves to be more symbolic and an element that Gale remembers throughout their relationship. When Brian falls ill and Gale visits him in the hospital, the same song returns to be used as that symbolic element of the spirit Brian represented.
This film tries to balance the light-hearted humor with the heavy-hearted drama and does a fairly decent job in its presentation. This is a classic sports drama that only has a few significant gaps in its presentation that keep it from reaching an excellent level.
Dan’s Rating: 3.0/5
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