Varsity Blues (1999)

Director:

Brian Robbins

Writer (WGA):

W. Peter Iliff (written by)

Release Date:

15 January 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

Make your own rules.

Plot:

In small-town Texas, high school football is a religion. The head coach is deified, as long as the team...

Plot Keywords:

Quarterback | Coach | Texas | High School Football | High School

Awards:

2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

James Van Der Beek	...	Jonathon 'Mox' Moxon
Amy Smart	...	Jules Harbor
Jon Voight	...	Coach Bud Kilmer
Paul Walker	...	Lance Harbor
Ron Lester	...	Billy Bob
Scott Caan	...	Charlie Tweeder
Richard Lineback	...	Joe Harbor
Ali Larter	...	Darcy Sears
Tiffany C. Love	...	Collette Harbor
Eliel Swinton	...	Wendell Brown
Thomas F. Duffy	...	Sam Moxon
Jill Parker-Jones	...	Mo Moxon (as Jill Parker Jones)
Tonie Perensky	...	Miss Davis
Joe Pichler	...	Kyle Moxon
Mark Walters	...	Chet McNurty

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language throughout, sexuality and nudity, and some substance abuse.

Runtime:

106 min | Germany:100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Philippines:PG-13 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-10 | France:U | Germany:12 | Ireland:15 | Norway:11 | Peru:14 | South Korea:18 | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Tova Laiter Production

Trivia:

The Ford on the movie cover was sadly never used in the movie.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the "William Tell" demonstration, Joe Harbor is seen from the side putting the "Lone Star" beer can on his head. From the side, it is facing straight toward the camera. In the next shot of him, from the front, the same "Lone Star" can has turned nearly 90 degrees counter clockwise about the vertical access to be facing directly forward where Lance knocks it off with the football.

Quotes:

Charlie Tweeder: Ladies, shut up and hold on to your nipples!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The Office: The Coup (#3.3)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Horror Show

Surprisingly good!

If someone checks out the trailer, one might think, "Another MTV-produced teen flick. I think I'll pass on that." Well, I went into the theater not thinking it was going to be bad, but I expected more of an amusing film that isn't really high on ingenuity. True, "Varsity Blues" has those standard teen elements like wild drinking parties, the school slut, etc. But it never overuses those elements. It's more of a compelling comedy-drama about football that delivers a fine message about sportsmanship. You have a pretty good idea how it's going to end up, but it's the way it's executed that makes it special. Jon Voight is absolutely terrific as the no-nonsense coach. He's the kind of character you want to stab in the chest every minute he's on screen, and Voight was a perfect choice. The film dabbles with elements of the sport that probably hit home to some high school football players. Voight's character has only one goal: winning. And he doesn't care how he gets to that goal. If he has to shoot drugs into every one of his players, he's going to arrive at that goal. And I'm sure there are coaches out there who have that selfish goal. Then James Van Der Beek comes along, and his character is not really concerned with winning or playing football in the first place. But he likes football, has fun with it and simply wants to play a good, honest game. If the team wins, good. If it doesn't, so what. He has a good locker room speech at the end of the movie.

"Varsity Blues" is funny, moving and wonderfully acted. It might appeal more to teens and young adults, more than the older ones, but I still suggest everyone check it out.