Everybody's All-American

Ray raised my interest in Taylor Hackford’s back catalogue, so I caught up with this other decades-spanning story of an American cultural hero from the South -- and I’m glad I did. Adapted from Frank Deford’s intelligent football novel, the film follows the “The Grey Ghost” from his national championship glory as an LSU Tiger in 1956, through his afterthought pro career, into his dotage as an alcoholic, semi-employed ex-jock, up to the 25th reunion of his magic moment. Dennis Quaid (ooh) fills the role in every respect, Jessica Lange (yum) is his Magnolia Queen wife, and Timothy Hutton is the professorial kissin’ cousin and longtime celebrant of the golden couple. The movie tries to pack a lot into its sprawling canvas -- especially with a parallel story of a black athlete blocked by the color line who finds an alternative outlet for his competitiveness and heroism -- but paints the panorama with a brisk competence. (1988, dvd, n.) *7-*