Parents Television Council Reviews

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Invincible

By Caroline Schulenburg

Release Date: August 25, 2006

MPAA RATING: PG for mild sports related violence, one scene of implied sex, and very mild language
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, Elizabeth Banks and Kevin Conway

Genre: Drama

Recommended Age: 10+

In 1976, a man from a working class community in Philadelphia became and NFL legend when he attended an open try-out and became a star player on the Philadelphia Eagles.

"Invincible," which opens in theaters nationwide today, is the inspiring tale of Vince Papale's rise from humble beginnings to success.

When "Invincible" begins, Vince has just lost his part-time substitute teaching job, his wife has left him, and he is working part-time at a local bar where his friends gather. In their working-class neighborhood where many people are struggling to hang on to their jobs and make ends meet, attending Eagle's games and playing pick-up football together gives them a sense of community and helps them forget about life's problems for just a few hours each week.

Unfortunately, the Eagles are the worst team in the NFL. The fans struggle to find a reason to be proud of the team which closed its recent season with a 31-0 loss. In the hopes of reinvigorating fans and possibly finding some new talent, Coach Dick Vermeil holds a tryout that anyone can attend. At the urging of his buddies, Vince goes to the Eagles' stadium and is the lone hopeful with a flicker of potential.

Vince is surprised when the young coach asks him to attend the training camp. He feels like he hasn't much to hope for as he is already 30-years-old and has a single year of high school football under his belt. But his friends urge him on. From the moment his selection was announced, the small group of friends had found a hero in their midst and a reason to hope.

For Vince, training camp is almost more emotionally demanding than anything else. He doesn't want to get his hopes up, or to let his family and friends down – and the returning Eagles do everything they can to discourage him.  They ignore him, taunt him and make him feel like a failure, but coach Vermeil sees something more.  In Vince, he sees the heart and character that has been lacking in the Philadelphia Eagles.

While "Invincible" is somewhat predictable, it focuses on and celebrates the many positive aspects of Vince Papale's rise to fame. Vince is an ordinary guy who has fallen on hard times. His incredible tale would not have been made possible were it not for the love and support of his father who happily lends him money when he is struggling to pay rent; the support, enthusiasm and pride of not only his immediate friends, but his entire community as he goes from a single hopeful among thousands, to the pride of the Philadelphia Eagles. "Invincible" is rated PG for one scene of implied sex, some sports-related violence and very mild language.

Parent Note: The PTC is awarding its Seal of Approval to "Invincible" but with an age-specific recommendation that it may not be appropriate for children younger than 12. There is some material we feel is inappropriate for younger members of the family, but overall the positive messages in the film deserve recognition by the PTC. We urge members to take this age recommendation into consideration when making their movie viewing choices.

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