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"Woodlawn" is a 2015 sports drama film directed by Andrew and Jon Erwin. It is based on the true story of Tony Nathan, a football player for Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Alabama, during the early 1970s. The film depicts the racial tensions that existed in Birmingham during the desegregation of schools. Tony, a young African-American student, is one of the first to attend Woodlawn High School, which was previously an all-white school. His arrival causes tension between the black and white students, and a series of fights break out.

Against this backdrop, Woodlawn's football team is struggling. Coach Tandy Gerelds, played by Nic Bishop, is unable to motivate the players and the team is in danger of being disbanded due to lack of success. The situation changes when Hank Erwin, played by Sean Astin, visits the school to give a speech about his faith. Many of the football players, including Tony, are moved by his message and decide to become Christians.

As the players find strength in their faith, their football skills improve and they start winning games. This success brings the team together and helps to heal the racial tensions at the school. However, the team's success also attracts unwanted attention from the Ku Klux Klan, who are opposed to racial integration.

The film features a strong ensemble cast, including Caleb Castille as Tony Nathan, Sean Astin as Hank Erwin, Jon Voight as legendary Alabama football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, and Sherri Shepherd as Tony's mother.

"Woodlawn" is a powerful drama that explores important themes about racial reconciliation, faith, and the power of sports to bring people together. It is a well-crafted film that is visually stunning and features strong performances from the entire cast.

The film accurately depicts the racial tensions that existed in Birmingham during the 1970s and the challenges that many African-American students faced in integrating previously all-white schools. It also shows the role that faith played in bringing people together and overcoming prejudice.

One of the strengths of the film is its focus on the football players themselves. The narrative is driven by their struggles and their journey towards success. This approach is effective in conveying the emotional impact of the story and creating a sense of empathy for the characters.

The film also features some stunning football scenes, with impressive choreography and camera work that captures the intensity of the game. These scenes are particularly effective in conveying the sense of camaraderie and brotherhood that the players experience as they come together to achieve success.

Overall, "Woodlawn" is a powerful and moving film that will resonate with audiences of all ages. It is a story of hope and redemption, of faith and perseverance, and of the human spirit triumphing over adversity.

Woodlawn is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 5 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 57.