All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Blistering performances.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Well sort of....I attended LSU during the filming of this movie. I just finished watching it and it never gets old for me. Everyone watches movies for different reasons. This movie is a walk through life and ultimately its message to me is to cherish every single moment as it moves by quickly. Treat everyone with respect but especially never take the ones who love you the most for granted! My wife and I were at LSU during the filming so it speaks to us. Gavin and Babs get it right in the end........

Along with other reviewers I consider this movie a now-forgotten gem and under-rated. It's biggest liability is an honest but overly dramatic approach to racism in the US during the 1950's and 60's. It is an emotional exploration of the personal evolution of a college and pro football star during that era- from success to near tragedy. Quaid. Lange, Hutton, and Goodman, and the supporting cast all excel in their roles. This is an engaging film and in my opinion one of Taylor Hackford's best directorial efforts.

This film tells the story of anyone who has looked back on their life with fondness, embarrassment, nostalgia, sorrow, joy, and any other emotion you can think of. Dennis Quaid does some of his finest work as an All American college football player who is a superstar in spite of himself. While he enjoys the spotlight and all that goes with it to a certain extent, he just wants everyone to accept him for who he is. Jessica Lange does her usual stand out job portraying a prototype southern debutante who starts out happy to be her man's woman, but as time goes on discovers herself. Timothy Hutton plays the cousin to Quaid's character and finds himself woven into the lives of the born to be together couple. John Goodman turns in a great performance as a friend and teammate to the "Grey Ghost" that coincides with the beginning of his long running role as the quintessential suburban husband to Roseanne. While this film is entertaining to the sports fan, it also appeals to anyone who wishes they might have done things differently. If the ending doesn't grab you just a little, you're not human.

I started to watch this movie on HBO non commitedly but soon found myself engrossed. Nothing else was on so I kept watching. I was struck by the brilliant performance of Dennis Quaid and my heart broke for his character Gavin. I have rarely felt this kind of emotion when viewing a film and was overwhelmed with it. I had never before thought of Dennis Quaid as anything other than the funny guy from Undercover Blues and I was taken aback at his acting. I wept at the end and I felt every kind of emotion it is possible to feel. I cannot even express in words how I was blown away by this superb film and all of the actors involved in it.