Heartfelt, funny, and entertaining, 80 for Brady was a pleasant surprise that's worth a watch, even if you have no interest in football.
“Academy Award nominee Lily Tomlin, and winners Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno and Sally Field star in this hilarious and heartfelt comedy, inspired by a true story of friendship and adventure. Four lifelong friends set out on an unforgettable journey to see their hero Tom Brady play in Super Bowl LI and witness one of the greatest comebacks in sports history, discovering that it’s never too late to live life to the fullest.”
80 for Brady: I don’t think there is any other film that may be furthest from my interests as this one was to me. I don’t watch football, and am not in the demographic that would find the antics of 80-somethings that entertaining. So, I reluctantly begin the film, and to my utter amazement, I’m laughing uncontrollably throughout most of the film.
What 80 for Brady gets right, is creating an accessible story that someone like myself, who has no interest in anything featured in the film, can find enjoyment in. The story easily introduces these lifelong friends and the heartfelt reasoning for their dedication to Brady and his team, and the wild rituals they go through each time a game is on. As much as it starts off about football and the group of women getting a chance to see their idol in action in real-time, the adventure they embark upon could honestly be about anything, but the camaraderie that fans get watching their beloved team, and friendly rivalries with others, only enhances the bond that these women share with each other, as well as each person they meet along their journey.
The comedy most definitely comes from the fish-out-of-water type of story featuring characters that are out of their element navigating a world filled with burly, athletic young men. This creates all kinds of hilarious scenarios, not just from the group of women interacting with football players but all kinds of different people, including a Super Bowl party in which many of them get a little in over their heads when another partygoer offers them edibles. While the overall story is very predictable, the comedy and most of all, the heart of the story, fills the viewer with warmth and joy right to the very end. I had not known this film was based on true events while watching, but it made it even better to learn that it was at the end.
Video
The film is presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1. The picture quality is excellent, with no issues or defects noticed. This film has incredible detail, with bright and vibrant colors throughout, accurate skin-tones, an overall solid viewing experience.
Audio
The audio is presented in Dolby Atmos. While we don’t get a ton of immersive audio in this film, towards the end that changes when the Super Bowl is in progress. Levels are consistently good throughout, with a nice balance between the surrounds and dialogue of the center channel. But, as I mentioned, once you get to the game, the audio-scape changes and provides a lot of great sound that you can definitely appreciate on a nice system setup.
Special Features
There are some really entertaining extras included on this Blu-ray release, which also includes a digital copy.
- Extended and Deleted Scenes
- The Game Plan: Making 80 For Brady
- The GOATs: Jane, Lily, Rita, & Sally
- The Visiting Team: Meet the Supporting Cast
- The Largest Comeback in Super Bowl History
80 for Brady was nothing short of a pleasant surprise, providing a lot of laughs and some true heartfelt moments that may have been predictable, but nonetheless tender and effective. Accessible to literally anyone that can feel emotions, this one wasn’t a work of art, but still provided some solid entertainment. This is streaming now, as well as available for purchase!
