80 for Brady: a feel-good film with a stellar cast

February 10, 2023

This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.

And now over to our sports desk. I doubt I need to remind you Sarah Weigman coached her Lionesses to Euro victory last year after beating Germany in extra time. It was the UK’s first major trophy in the sport since 1966. That was then.

They will be back in action for the first time since that win on 16 February against South Korea in Milton Keynes. It will be live on ITV if you want to sit on your sofa with the rattle ready.

However, to most of us in the UK, American football is a mystery. It appears to be like rugby but armoured and designed specifically for commercial TV ad breaks to allow those watching to recharge their glasses and check that pizza isn’t burning.

The reason I mention American football is the new film ’80 for Brady’. Inspired by a true story and scripted by Sarah Haskins and Emily Halpern, four senior women and lifelong friends (played by Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno and Sally Field) get the chance to go to the 2017 Super Bowl to watch their hero Tom Brady in action.

Tom Brady? He’s a 45 year old former NFL quarterback with the longest Wikipedia entry I’ve ever seen. His health regime includes transcendental meditation, yoga, resistance training, hydrating, checking his bank account and going to bed early.

I doubt Tom (who makes a cameo appearance) will be brushing the pastry flakes off his abs these days. He’s more likely to be playing golf in Florida.

As well as these well seasoned actresses, a similarly impressive bunch of female singers have come together to sing the theme song ‘Gonna Be With You’ after being approached by the legendary songwriter Diane Warren.

She wanted 80’s icons Dolly Parton, Belinda Carlisle, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan and Debbie Harry to help her out.

They all said yes. You can imagine the phone calls. Debbie didn’t make it to the video but I suspect they’ll correct that.

Purely by co-incidence the Super Bowl LV11 final will be held on 12 February at the State Farm Stadium, Arizona and half time entertainment is from Rhianna. You probably won’t be there (or even watching) but you can catch this movie in UK cinemas from 24 March.

’80 for Brady’ is a laugh. It features mad older women, hunky younger blokes, has a remarkable feel-good factor and will set your toes tapping with a great soundtrack. However, despite its stellar cast and musical pedigree I suspect this film will not set the world alight. The song will be a hit but the critics may savage the movie. But then they’ve done that to many successful films before. Only the audience can be the real judge – by buying a ticket.

God Bless America

Read more film reviews by Northern Male here

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