I had wanted to see this movie for a while, as I am a really big Aidan Quinn fan, so I was thrilled when I found a copy today! But my hopes were too high for the level of this movie. The story was solid, the acting was decent, but the script was obviously an afterthought to the football footage. The writers never really introduced the viewers to the Abbatte family (what was wrong with the daughter?), gave very little notice to the interactions and reactions of the family as a whole regarding their loss, and basically didn't give the actors much with which to present their characters or to move the story line. With such a good story and a high-caliber cast, this movie could have been a great one, but instead it pretty much just laid down with a whimper. Next time, guys, "FOCUS" on the story, not clips of football plays and cheerleaders. Really a sad treatment of a promising premise.
38 Reviews
A Film With A Heart-Wrenching Message
james18444 February 2012
Oh, ye of little faith. This film had flaws as almost any film does but, there have been several criticisms about some less than stellar acting. It is true to some extent. Truth be known, several participants were the real people in the real world of the events that took place from the actual story. I am always amazed by the reviews that seem so opposite from agreement. This film dealt with the tragedy that sometimes befalls only some families and it shows that families can work thru their sorrows. I rate this film 7 stars because I know a similar tragedy and I pray that you never have to walk with this tragedy in your life. Quinn does an outstanding performance that conveyed the pain and suffering of a father as did the rest of the main cast. This is a heart wrenching story to watch but one with a valuable lesson to share.
Good Movie, But Surprisingly Vulgar
bchilton7718 November 2011
Being a pastor, I was excited to see another faith-based movie. The movie was inspirational with great values supporting faith, dealing with the death of a loved one, and overcoming tremendous obstacles. However, I was surprised at the amount of alcohol that was promoted in the movie, especially when the mother was shown drinking shots with her friend. When she couldn't get her breath, I didn't know if it was stress or taking too big of a swig. There is a time or two when vulgar language is used in the movie. So, I would recommend this movie for Christian families, however I do not know that I would approve of watching this film in church. Do not let the eccentricities keep you from watching. Although this movie is not at the level of spiritual prowess that Fireproof and Facing the Giants are at, it is still a great movie overall.
Loving it!
susan-young1329 October 2011
I'm loving this movie so far and am more than half way through it. Don't pay attention to the haters.If you have a heart you will love this movie. It may not be perfect, but the message is clear. It may not be The Blind Side-but it's a different family.I can't imagine what it must be like to go through what this family went through. I'm a nurse and really appreciate a lot of the scenes especially the ones in the beginning of the film. At least give this movie a chance and make up your own mind. Don't let these negative reviews make up your mind for you without judging for yourself. Believe me, I've seen MANY movies and MANY of them I haven't even been able to get through the first fifteen minutes. This is a good movie. It may not be an Oscar winner, but it is a good movie about a true story, a real family and a community.
bad movie on a true story that deserved better
dermot2320 August 2011
I rented this out last night with high expectations. the story looked good and with the added element of sport,(American football). i thought great. this should be a good watch, how wrong was I. the movie began aimlessly with a bunch of actors stumbling from scene to scene while mumbling their lines from an awful script. the story was meant to be a very emotional one about loss and tragedy, but it was so badly done, that i found myself laughing at times where i should of been swelling up or getting tears in my eyes, i kept thinking wow, this is a true story, I hope the family this is based on haven't seen this, because if i was in their shoes, I would be really offended. everything was wrong, production, script,direction(there was none), acting, terrible, aidan quinn in particular must of gave his worst performance ever, crying and whaling his way through scenes. the movie picked up a little later on when they all finally eased on the crying., but overall a bad movie on a true story that deserved more than this. if you want to see a good movie based on a true story this year check out soul surfer.
Tries to hit all the stereotypes and fails miserably
fraudia20 August 2011
This is an amateurish movie. This is a waste of a "based on a true story" movie. -Acting is halfway decent and is not helped by the poor dialogue. -The background music/song selection is incessantly annoying because it feels over the top and forced. -Scenes jump all over the place and lack cohesion. -Even the sports part is about as unexciting as you can get. I mean how can you screw that up?
Basically it's a bad movie and this is coming from a guy whose a sucker for this type of inspirational true story/sports genre.
So in closing, is this a half assed review? Yes it is, but you know what, I felt compelled to tell the other side after reading the only other review which is clearly biased.
Basically it's a bad movie and this is coming from a guy whose a sucker for this type of inspirational true story/sports genre.
So in closing, is this a half assed review? Yes it is, but you know what, I felt compelled to tell the other side after reading the only other review which is clearly biased.
How to overcome the death of a brother.
zutterjp4830 March 2022
The 15 years old Luke has died in a car accident. A great pain for the parents Maryanne and Steven and for Jon his brother. Jon is confused and doesn't participate in the sports activities of his university. But later he will find sense to his life playing American football with the number that his brother used. Other important thing, this film treats about the organ donation.
Good performances of Aidan Quinn, Andie McDowell and Ryan Merriman.
Good performances of Aidan Quinn, Andie McDowell and Ryan Merriman.
Career ending
shaf1721 November 2019
amazing to watch
jewelch16 February 2021
This film does an excellent job of portraying how the unexpected death of a young teen affects his family, friends, and community. Have the tissues handy. Wish they had done a better job of including a sister and another brother into the story. Watch through the ending, when they share actual statistics of the Wake Forest football team in 2006. Also how the family moved forward to help others through a group they formed to educate about the organ donor program and the dangers of reckless driving. Yes I recommend it, James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 2/15/2021
Good movie, but...
michael-doesken19 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I could write a myriad of things that others have written about this movie. But to be honest, it would just waste your time. There are definitely a lot of Christian spiritual moments in this movie. What disappoints me, is with a 6mil budget, I was expecting some actual game recreation using the actors. Not a whole bunch of extremely low-resolution video clips of actual games from that year cut in between scenes with the actual actors. It's pretty put-offing. Just my two cents. The movie itself is done really well, and the acting is also performed at a top level (IMO), however, the use of these actual gameday clips seems forced and out of play from the rest of the movie, and it seems to remove me to the point I just can't get into it.
Inspirational sports drama.
michaelRokeefe27 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
This true to life drama begins in 2006, when Luke Abbate(Stefan Guy)accepts a ride home from football practice and ends up the victim of his friend's reckless driving. The out of control vehicle spins off a narrow rode at 90 miles an hour. Devastated parents,(Aidan Quinn and Andie MacDowell)watch their son die of brain damage in the hospital...only four days before his sixteenth birthday. The Abatte's donate Luke's organs to five people. Big brother Jon(Ryan Merriman), a junior at Wake Forest, begins to honor his brother by holding up five fingers before the fourth quarter of each game. When the news spreads, opposing players and fans begin doing the same. Was this the inspiration that guided Wake Forest to win a school record 11 games and a trip to the Orange Bowl? It doesn't take long to realize this was not meant to be an award winner. Albeit poignant, sad and uplifting. Dialogue not enough to brag about. Musical score at times irritating. Acting is pedestrian and MacDowell, as usual, overacts. This a very good movie for church groups. Inspiration can be found in tragic loss.
Other players: Michael Harding, Jon Stafford, Andrea Powell, Anessa Ramsey and John Newberg.
Other players: Michael Harding, Jon Stafford, Andrea Powell, Anessa Ramsey and John Newberg.
An Amazing Movie! - (bring tissue)
user-604-4216422 August 2011
This was an absolutely amazing film. If you're gonna watch it, go to Walmart and buy a box of tissue for each person who's going to watch it with you because you will spend 95% of the movie totally choked-up. Truly an inspiration. Not to take anything away from any of the other actors in the film but this has to be one of Aidan Quinn's greatest performances. The raw emotion was overpowering while remaining completely inspiring. If you like true stories of how powerful the human spirit can be when faced with adversity then you will love this movie. I honestly can't understand how the overall rating of this movie is only 4.7. This is the kind of movie that makes you want to be a better person in all areas of your life, I'm inspired to be a better father and husband. I have met people like these portrayed in the movie so it's easy for me to believe they exist. If you're macho, watch it anyway, just watch it alone - but WATCH IT!
Forgettable would be an overstatement.
j_abraham_gtz2 September 2011
I must say that when renting direct-to-DVD movies, I never do expect anything great (this is not to say that I've never been pleasantly surprised by one in the past). I always make sure to watch these sorts of movies with an open mind and lowered standards.
Sadly, I wish this movie could meet even my lowest of standards.
Firstly, the acting was terrible (at best). All actors seemed to have been hired straight out of some sort of cheaply made orange juice commercial. The overall stiffness and completely off emotional queues were the only things of this movie ever coming close to making me cry. However, the most blatant offender in this film was Aidan Quinn's pathetically over-acted performance.
Secondly, you cannot expect anything even remotely fresh out of this film. Nothing original; no artistic value: Classic "Going-through- turmoil-but-in-the-end-we'll-all-be-alright" Hollywood monotony. There is literally NOTHING special.
Thirdly, they slap the "Based on a True Story" sticker to boot. It's basically a way to make you WANT to sort of like the movie, but really it only made me hate it even more. How dare they defile whoever's story this was based off of with this steaming pile of garbage of a "movie".
Simply put: This was deplorable. A truly, truly horrendous movie.
Sadly, I wish this movie could meet even my lowest of standards.
Firstly, the acting was terrible (at best). All actors seemed to have been hired straight out of some sort of cheaply made orange juice commercial. The overall stiffness and completely off emotional queues were the only things of this movie ever coming close to making me cry. However, the most blatant offender in this film was Aidan Quinn's pathetically over-acted performance.
Secondly, you cannot expect anything even remotely fresh out of this film. Nothing original; no artistic value: Classic "Going-through- turmoil-but-in-the-end-we'll-all-be-alright" Hollywood monotony. There is literally NOTHING special.
Thirdly, they slap the "Based on a True Story" sticker to boot. It's basically a way to make you WANT to sort of like the movie, but really it only made me hate it even more. How dare they defile whoever's story this was based off of with this steaming pile of garbage of a "movie".
Simply put: This was deplorable. A truly, truly horrendous movie.
Everyone should see this inspiring movie!
aonetravel5 October 2011
I don't understand the negative reviews. Please watch this movie and see for yourself. I thought the actors did a fantastic job. I have never seen a father's love portrayed so beautifully as Aiden Quinn showed in this movie. Men do not often show such tenderness but he brought such an endearing character to life for me. Andie McDowell was the perfect choice to play the mother in this film. You could just tell how proud she was of her three sons and how hard she was holding on for the entire family. I fell in love with all three of the sons and felt the two surviving sons each brought a unique reaction to the tragic loss of their brother. Bring a box of tissues and let all of your teenage children watch this! We need to teach our children how one bad decision can alter the rest of our lives and the lives of others that we care about.
Awful, horrible, horrid
drbking181 October 2011
This movie looked halfway decent from the trailer, and even though it appeared corny, we figured that being based on a true story, it would have redeeming qualities. Wrong! The acting in this film is so bad that Aidan Quinn and Andie MacDowell should be banned from ever receiving any future acting awards. The dialog is so terrible, it makes made-for-TV Lifetime movies look good. And the directing / editing just heightens the problems as camera angles accentuate the bad acting.
We were able to rent this movie for free due to a coupon from a national DVD rental company. But even at that price, I felt like I was cheated.
Think of the worst movie you have ever seen. This one was worse.
We were able to rent this movie for free due to a coupon from a national DVD rental company. But even at that price, I felt like I was cheated.
Think of the worst movie you have ever seen. This one was worse.
an accident leads to a really bad movie
markorealmonte18 December 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Terribly written and directed. Terrible musical interludes in nearly every sequence. Preachy commercials about organ donation and the perils of reckless driving. It's too bad because the film could have been really great. There's a great cast. Films can have a faith-based message without being so heavy-handed, without all the bible thumping and scripture quoting.
The idea of a good family coping with the senseless death of a teen-aged son is really a good idea--and one that already won the Oscar for best picture (Ordinary People directed by Robert Redford).
This movie may have a slight life on the Netflix circuit--but it looks like it will lose about $5 million dollars. I've had a better film on my teeth.
The idea of a good family coping with the senseless death of a teen-aged son is really a good idea--and one that already won the Oscar for best picture (Ordinary People directed by Robert Redford).
This movie may have a slight life on the Netflix circuit--but it looks like it will lose about $5 million dollars. I've had a better film on my teeth.
Pretty good movie
lekcots114 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
This is a pretty good Faith-based movie. From reading other reviews, some people don't understand that this movie is REALLY BASED ON A TRUE STORY. I'm reading that some people are turned off by Merriman's hair. Well that's because that's how the real player's hair was. I'm a Wake Forest fan and I watched a lot from that season. They did the best they could wit what they had. Scenes were filmed from campus and the stadium. They did have to do some cosmetics (terrible) to the stadium because it undergone changes since that season in 2006 (rename and video screen.) The acting isn't too bad, a bit too dramatic at times. Yes, some scenes weren't completely true, but that was the same for the Blindside too. I don't know if any of you noticed but many times they used actual footage from televised games. I didn't like how a lot of the time they showed the same footage of the crowd, even if they were at different stadiums, I could tell they use scenes from the same stadium. Good movie overall though. Worth watching a least once.
Worth a try.
raleighgranprix5 October 2011
Years ago, there use to be a dramatic Christian TV show called 'Faith for today', having seen it makes me think that these kinds of new movies are a bit of a modern version of that genre, dramatic Christian programming while at the same time, I have to say, it is not 'overtly' Christian in it's message vs. in comparison say 'Facing the Giants' but only in that Wake Forest is a Christian University, the "Deacs", Demon Deacons. Also in one scene in the Abbate household, I believe one might see a cross on the wall but even that seems a bit unfocused in the background and then, there is a short part in the Church but no "Bible Thumping" by any means.
One should not be expecting a Hollywood production. You have to think outside the box. The movie has a message and in the end is moving and does recount that story well. The football action is fairly well done when it shows games. I give it 6 stars as being on the plus side of average. For a "football movie", I'd rate it as about 7 stars actually, interesting when you think of Wake Forest as I do as mainly a basketball power which they are vs. football. It may not be 'Brian's song' or 'The Knute Rockne story' but it might be slightly reminiscent of the feel of those movies and I would think of it as being more along the lines of 'We are Marshall.' It's definitely worth a try. Yeah and parts of it do make me a bit teary eyed. Also, from a sports angle, the parts with South African trainer Steve Uria are good, it makes me think of some of the real exercise parts of the movie 'Hoosiers.' Honestly, if you are into sports, the exercise portions may be something you want to try for yourself. Wake Forest is more famous for it's basketball teams, even at the football game, I saw some of the student supporters jumping up and down which is something I tend to see all the time watching basketball games of some Universities like, I've got to say it, Duke University. So, in the final analysis, I think there is quite a bit to this movie and it is worth watching.
One should not be expecting a Hollywood production. You have to think outside the box. The movie has a message and in the end is moving and does recount that story well. The football action is fairly well done when it shows games. I give it 6 stars as being on the plus side of average. For a "football movie", I'd rate it as about 7 stars actually, interesting when you think of Wake Forest as I do as mainly a basketball power which they are vs. football. It may not be 'Brian's song' or 'The Knute Rockne story' but it might be slightly reminiscent of the feel of those movies and I would think of it as being more along the lines of 'We are Marshall.' It's definitely worth a try. Yeah and parts of it do make me a bit teary eyed. Also, from a sports angle, the parts with South African trainer Steve Uria are good, it makes me think of some of the real exercise parts of the movie 'Hoosiers.' Honestly, if you are into sports, the exercise portions may be something you want to try for yourself. Wake Forest is more famous for it's basketball teams, even at the football game, I saw some of the student supporters jumping up and down which is something I tend to see all the time watching basketball games of some Universities like, I've got to say it, Duke University. So, in the final analysis, I think there is quite a bit to this movie and it is worth watching.
Not the best but not really the worst
vbutterfield198929 February 2012
I saw this on my NetFlix it looked like an OK movie, but then i started watching it and, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone the story is a good one but the way it was put together just doesn't work. I like Ryan Merriman from his Disney movie days but in this movie I just cant get past him with the long hair and how it always looks dirty no matter what, just a bad choice in my opinion.
I had no idea going into this movie it was going to be a Faith driven movie, witch I have never been a big fan of but to each our own right? The off acting, music cues and editing of this movie just threw me off I made it 3/4 the way through the movie before i had to change it to something else because of it.
I had no idea going into this movie it was going to be a Faith driven movie, witch I have never been a big fan of but to each our own right? The off acting, music cues and editing of this movie just threw me off I made it 3/4 the way through the movie before i had to change it to something else because of it.
If you have a heart at all, you'll LOVE this movie!
charkell5 April 2011
Beautifully portrayed real grief and the humanness of this incredible family, from the high points to the lowest ones. Although I know Luke's story as well as anyone outside the Abbate family can, I was drawn into the movie by the raw emotional performances of the actors. For me, Andie became Maryanne, from her super human strengths I admire to her raw "Are you kidding me?" breakdown that made those of us who love her truly laugh out loud. Aidan's portrayal of Steven almost broke my heart. Aidan placed himself in Steven's shoes at the crash site and made those of us who are parents feel as helpless as he must have that awful night. Audiences are shown how God's grace is woven so beautifully in and through each moment of their lives, even when His presence is questioned by those hurt so deeply. I do wish we could have seen more of sweet Rachel and her lovely spiritedness!! Incredible movie, stayed true to the story of unending love, life born from tragedy and hope rising from loss. Incredibly well done. Definitely a must see-
Bad bad acting
carolcarre28 September 2012
Warning: Spoilers
and it gets worse. Who really wants their son to go get his brain bashed because their other football hero son died in a car wreck? Who would pressure a son like that? Only uncaring un-Christian parents, that's who, parents who idolize one boy and drive the other to be a replacement son. Awful awful awful. All the sobbing and totally stupid reactions of the parents are almost beyond belief. AS my husband asked me, "do real families act and talk this way?" I suppose some do. More's the pity.
Of course, the movie follows Jon's meteoric change from slacker to super football hero based on just will power and I suppose divine guidance (why do so many people think Divinity adores football and rewards its football players?)
Of course, the movie follows Jon's meteoric change from slacker to super football hero based on just will power and I suppose divine guidance (why do so many people think Divinity adores football and rewards its football players?)
Families, Faith and Football - All Wrapped Up in One DVD
rannynm31 August 2011
It's Football Season again! And Fox Faith just released their film, The 5th Quarter to Blu-ray/DVD this week.
Storyline: When a close-knit family is nearly broken by tragedy, hope is restored by their eldest son who carries the weight of victory on his shoulders in THE 5TH QUARTER.
One of our KIDS FIRST! youth film critics reviewed it this week: "I just finished watching The Fifth Quarter and I enjoyed it. It's about a boy named Luke who dies in an auto accident because of drunk driving. The story is really about how the family copes with the loss of their 15 year old son and brother.
I really like the character John Abbate, Luke's older brother, played by Ryan Merriman. The acting is superb. He couldn't have done a better job.
I would say that this movie is for kids 13 and up. There is one little tiny extremely short scene showing some surgery that is disturbing, but there is also a lot of talking and emotion and crying, of course. Any kid younger than 13 would not appreciate that. However, older kids will appreciate the amazing acting.
By Sam Connan, Age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. Sam's review is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC90wSHTklg
Storyline: When a close-knit family is nearly broken by tragedy, hope is restored by their eldest son who carries the weight of victory on his shoulders in THE 5TH QUARTER.
One of our KIDS FIRST! youth film critics reviewed it this week: "I just finished watching The Fifth Quarter and I enjoyed it. It's about a boy named Luke who dies in an auto accident because of drunk driving. The story is really about how the family copes with the loss of their 15 year old son and brother.
I really like the character John Abbate, Luke's older brother, played by Ryan Merriman. The acting is superb. He couldn't have done a better job.
I would say that this movie is for kids 13 and up. There is one little tiny extremely short scene showing some surgery that is disturbing, but there is also a lot of talking and emotion and crying, of course. Any kid younger than 13 would not appreciate that. However, older kids will appreciate the amazing acting.
By Sam Connan, Age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. Sam's review is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC90wSHTklg
Great Acting, Bad Movie
temujin183 February 2023
Quinn actually brought tears to my eyes with his heart-felt performance; others were pretty good, too.
However, this movie wasn't well delivered. There was no real introduction nor flushing out the family members who are later haphazardly presented to us as relevant. At first, I wasn't sure who was who. The writers and/or director could have offered us insight into their roles in the family dynamic early in the story, prior to the accident, rather than waste time later with football and cheerleader scenes that don't contribute. -"Don't contribute," you might think, "Isn't it a football movie?" Hard to say; they didn't quite seem to know want kind of movie they were aiming for.
However, this movie wasn't well delivered. There was no real introduction nor flushing out the family members who are later haphazardly presented to us as relevant. At first, I wasn't sure who was who. The writers and/or director could have offered us insight into their roles in the family dynamic early in the story, prior to the accident, rather than waste time later with football and cheerleader scenes that don't contribute. -"Don't contribute," you might think, "Isn't it a football movie?" Hard to say; they didn't quite seem to know want kind of movie they were aiming for.
The worst movie I have ever seen
sensesfail_518 April 2022
Omg holy corn fest. This is without a doubt the cheesiest piece of crap I have ever seen. I have lost my brother in real life and I still can't get over how terrible this movie is. I cringed pretty much the whole way through. The actor playing #5 the older brother looked like he couldn't pass for a middle school football player.
An Inspiring Tear Jerker!!!
mistyshomeservices6 September 2019
Any movie that can have me drowning in tears 10 minutes into the movie and leave me gasping for air and my heart racing throughout the rest of the movie deserves 10 stars. There is a lot of difference in opinions over this movie. The biggest reason is because some are focused on the acting and some are focused on the message. If you are here for a good sports movie or superb acting you will be severely disappointed but if you are here to see a tragic event unfold, one that is too common today, and see how that tradegy affected the lives of not only the family but multiple communities and individuals then you will be absolutely moved by this movie. I found this movie by accident and immediately bought it after watching it. I have watched it a billion times since then and still sob like a baby just as I did the first time I saw it. This movie is one you must watch and decide for yourself. If you are a sucker for sob stories like I am you won't be disappointed.
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