Watch Everybody's All-American

Everybody's All-American is a 1988 sports drama film directed by Taylor Hackford and starring Jessica Lange, Dennis Quaid, and Timothy Hutton. The movie is a story of the ups and downs of a college football hero and his life after his playing days are over. The film takes place primarily in Louisiana during the 1950s and 1960s, in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement. It follows the life of Gavin Grey (Dennis Quaid), a football player who becomes a legend in Louisiana football history. Gavin is portrayed as a charming and talented young man with a bright future, but he struggles to maintain his success and even his sanity in a challenging and ever-changing world.

Lange plays Babs Rogers Grey, Gavin's wife, who initially is shy and innocent, but later becomes a forceful and ambitious businesswoman. Timothy Hutton plays Donnie, Gavin's best friend, who also happens to be in love with Babs. As Gavin's life and career begin to unravel, Babs finds ways to keep the family afloat, while Donnie remains a loyal friend, always ready to provide emotional support to Gavin.

The film paints a vivid picture of the life of a college football player in the 1950s, as Gavin rides his early success to national fame and glory. Gavin becomes an All-American and leads his team to a national championship, but realizes the hard way that the athlete's life is not all about fame and fortune. The pressures of fame and success are not something that Gavin is prepared for, and he quickly struggles to find his footing.

As time passes, Gavin ages and begins to lose his skill on the field. He becomes more and more estranged from his wife and friends as his life spirals out of control. Babs, feeling the pressure of managing the family's finances, becomes more ruthless in her business dealings, even considering affairs with powerful men to advance her career. Meanwhile, Donnie throws himself into politics, inspired by the Civil Rights Movement, while still pining for Babs.

Overall, Everybody's All-American is a tragic story of the high cost of sports success and the toll it takes on the human psyche. The film illustrates how sports success, while fleeting, can be an all-consuming force that can leave one lost and alone when it fades away.

The movie touches on many themes, including racism, love, loyalty, ambition, betrayal, and the cost of fame. Through the characters of Gavin, Babs, and Donnie, viewers are able to see how success can change people and relationships for better or worse. The film depicts the loneliness and struggles that come with being a successful athlete, as well as the psychological toll of living your life in the glare of the public eye.

In conclusion, Everybody's All-American is a timeless, moving film about the human condition, the illusions of success, and the importance of friendship and family. Its central message is that life can be fleeting and that we need to find deeper meaning, love, and connection beyond our material achievements. Anyone looking for a deeply emotional and introspective film that portrays the complexity of human emotions and relationships will find this movie deeply rewarding.

Everybody's All-American is a 1988 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 7 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.