Varsity Blues (film)
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| Varsity Blues | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Brian Robbins |
| Produced by | Brian Robbins, Tova Laiter |
| Written by | W. Peter Iliff |
| Starring | James Van Der Beek, Amy Smart, Paul Walker |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
| Release date(s) | 15 January 1999 (USA) |
| Running time | 106 min |
| Language | English |
| Budget | ~ US$16,000,000 |
| IMDb profile | |
Varsity Blues is a 1999 film that follows a small-town high school football team and their focused coach, Jon Voight, through a tumultuous season. The players must deal with the pressures of adolescence and their football obsessed community. In the small town of West Canaan, Texas, football is a way of life, and losing is not an option.
When their beloved quarterback, Lance Harbor (played by Paul Walker), is injured during a game, second string Jonathon "Mox" Moxon (played by James Van Der Beek), must step in and prove that he can lead his team to victory. But victory will not be easy for the team as the town worships and fears its legendary football coach almost more than God, who brings a dangerous new meaning to the motto "Win at all costs."
Varsity Blues drew a domestic box office gross of $53 million. Its budget was estimated at $16 million.
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[edit] Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| James Van Der Beek | Jonathon Moxon |
| Jon Voight | Coach Bud Kilmer |
| Paul Walker | Lance Harbor |
| Amy Smart | Jules Harbor |
| Scott Caan | Charlie Tweeder |
| Ron Lester | Billy Bob |
| Ali Larter | Darcy Sears |
[edit] Filming and reaction
The movie was filmed on location in Georgetown, Texas and even used the local high school's football stadium. However, the University of Toronto sued Paramount Pictures for damaging the reputation of its sports teams, which bear the same name. University officials complained that it presented collegiate sports in a negative light, arguing that the fictional coach was racist, misogynist, and homophobic. The lawsuit ended with Paramount reaching a settlement with the University of Toronto by paying an undisclosed amount to endow eight scholarships for academically accomplished student athletes at the university. In addition, a disclaimer was put on the video and book, indicating that the team depicted is fictional and not based on the University of Toronto Varsity Blues athletic program. Varsity Blues name was trademarked in mid-1980s.
[edit] Famous Quotes
Jonathon "Mox' Moxon: The male erection. Pitchin' a tent, sportin' a wood, stiffie, flesh rocket, tall tommy, Mr. Morbis, the march is on, icycle has formed, Jack's magic beanstalk, rigor mortis has set in, Mr. Mushroom-head, mushroom on a stick, purple headed yogurt slinger... oh, and a Pedro.
Jonathan Moxon: "I don't want your life"
Buzz Bissinger has called the movie a "veiled rip off" of his book Friday Night Lights.[1] Bissinger's book was made into a film in 2004. These both inspired a television series as well.
[edit] Awards
- 1999 Teen Choice Awards
- Best Breakout Performance: James Van Der Beek (won)
- Best Dramatic Film (nominated)
- 1999 MTV Movie Awards
- Best Breakout Performance: James Van Der Beek (won)
- Best Movie Song (nominated)
- 2000 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
- Best Male Newcomer: James Van Der Beek (nominated)
[edit] External links
- Varsity Blues at the Internet Movie Database
- "Students dismiss U of T’s lawsuit against Paramount", Varsity News
- "Lights, Campus, Action!", The Varsity
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