National Champions

It would be a good storyline if it is based on true story. Then it is interesting to see what is going on in those private meetings. However, if it is not based on the true story..... the script is kind of okay.

8/10 - despite some clunky dialogue/story elements and me knowing next to nothing about college football, this fascinating dramatization of the ongoing NCAA debate is truly gripping and is empowered by the fantastic acting performances of Stephan James, J. K. Simmons, and most of all, Uzo Aduba (who in another universe would be Oscar-nominated for this emotionally riveting performance)

I have no idea how they paid so many great actors to be in this. The plot is slow moving. The pivotal moment of information doesn't really make sense. It's a lazy writer trying to make money off a very controversial topic.

As a 116 mins long sports drama, I was expecting to see at least one game. But instead it was scenes in and out of hotel rooms with some soap-opera melodramatics and twists. I will say though, this did feel very real, and I'm curious if this story was conceived as a slap in the face to college football et al. The performances by all were excellent and captivating, especially J. K. Simmons, and the only reason I sat through the entire film. The ending was underwhelming, and I never did get to see any game, but the film was still unique and well put together. This may not be for everyone, especially if you don't follow college football or sports in general. It's a generous 7/10 from me.

''The NCAA doesn't pay its student athletes despite earning billions of dollars off our hard work every year'' - (Lamarcus James) With only 72 hours before the NCAA National Football Championship game, Lamarcus James, super star quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner, decides to boycott the game. Lamarcus, along with his wide receiver and best friend Emmet Sunday, announces on TV that they will not play in the big game to protest student athletes not receiving any compensation (pay) from the NCAA. They ask other players to join them and ignite a player's strike until all student-athletes are fairly compensated.

So now with with sponsors threatening to pull out, (literally billions of dollars at stake) the Power Brokers take over (NCAA & SEC) and bring in their ''Fixer''(Uzo Aduba) to handle Lamarcus and fix everything.

The Fixer surprises Lamarcus with a very sincere and passionate speech and we suddenly see a totally different side to the ''compensation'' for student athletes. Now, with only hours until kickoff, will Lamarcus have a change of heart?

Really, football is not the main theme, we never really see any actual football being played. Should College athletes receive a salary? ... well that is what this movie is about and the movie plays out more like a political statement then I would have liked to have seen.

Now all politics aside, there are good performances in this movie. What a Incredible performance by Uzo Aduba, and J. K. Simmons, Tim Blake Nelson, Jeffrey Donovan, Kristin Chenoweth, and Timothy Olyphant.