Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 10+
Drama based on facts about religion, race, football.
Not present
Based on 6 parent reviews
What is the story?
In 1973, the newly desegregated Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Alabama had its first black football players — like Tony Nathan (Caleb Castille), a gifted quarterback. Viewers are introduced to Tony, coach Tandy Gerelds (Nic Bishop) and Hank Erwin (Sean Astin), a sports chaplain associated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes who wants to work with the team to inspire them to “come to Jesus.” Hank shows up and asks Coach Geralds for some time to talk to the team; Gerelds gives him five minutes, and when he returns to the gym an hour later, Hank is still there and has miraculously converted almost the entire team to evangelical Christianity. Recently rededicated to their faith, the team turns into a true brotherhood, putting their friendships — and their football — above racial differences. Inspired by his team, Gerelds also professes his faith, and the team, still led by Hank, works together to play for the glory of God.
Is it good?
Although this is not a Selma– as a retelling of civil rights history, for what it is — a sports drama “by Christians, for Christians” set in racially charged Birmingham in 1973 — it’s well done. Unlike some faith-based films that have low budgets and seem to employ only a few trained actors, WOODLAWN has high production values and a professional cast of talented actors. From Austin and Bishop (Austrian best known for his prime time TV work on Dominion, Secret affairsand Body of evidence) newcomer Castille and Jon Voight as legendary University of Alabama coach Bear Bryant, there’s no shortage of talent in the cast.
As a labor of love for directors/brothers Jon and Andrew Erwin, whose father is sports chaplain Astin, Woodlawn mixes exciting football sequences with a rather idealized depiction of the team (only one player and his father refuse to engage in conversion and integration). The directors stay away from the harsher aspects of the racial divide of the time, though they include a terrifying scene in which a brick nearly misses Tony’s younger brother, as well as a fight outside a high school. One of the most interesting scenes is when Tony refuses to shake the hand of (and take a publicity photo with) Governor George Wallace, who opposed integration. but again, Woodlawn is less about civil rights and more about the height of the Jesus movement in the early ’70s — and how one team, black and white, played football for their Lord.
Talk to your kids about…
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Families can discuss whether faith-based films appeal to viewers who do not share that faith. Who do you think the intended audience is? Can others enjoy them?
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How it works Woodlawn show the racism and segregation of the era in which it takes place? Do you consider this a civil rights movie or a sports movie?
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How are sports and religion connected in this film? Do you think public school coaches and teams should allow or encourage religious activities on a sports team like Woodlawn did?
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How accurate do you think the move is to the actual events that inspired it? Why would the filmmakers decide to change actual events?
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Some critics say the film focuses too much on the experiences of the white coach/chaplain and too little on the African-American players. Do you agree?
Did we miss something about diversity?
Research shows a link between children’s healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in the media. That’s why we’ve added a new “Different Representations” section to our reviews that will be published on an ongoing basis. You can help us help children