A brilliant snapshot of late 20th century America, Game Day is a pressure cooker plot, with viewers increasingly dreading the inevitable, thankfully surprising and rewarding, explosion.
A dark Basketball Cinderella story, with a middle of nowhere underdog team getting a once in a lifetime chance at fame and glory; making it to the national championship, lead by a washed up 'has-been', that literally has been to the national championship five times before, and lost every single time - coach Steven Adler. Richard Lewis delivers his best dramatic performance as coach Adler, a role that covers everything from uplifting motivational speeches to disturbing manifestations of self destruction, as he gives up on everything... except, the game. 'I am good at the game' says Lewis in a blend of self determination and an ironic excuse for everything he is not quite as good at. An unsettling charisma around his character draws you in and keeps you hooked, like it or not.
The film is beautifully shot and edited - blending intense heart-racing peaks, with insightful social commentary and dark comedy. Speaking of comedy, casting the incomparable late comic Greg Giraldo is a beautiful touch.
I couldn't recommend this enough; great charismatic protagonist , well-crafted, thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking - Game Day's got it all.
