The ramifications of Brad Pitt’s wheeling-and-dealing Billy Beane from Moneyball have begun to echo through other sports films. Ivan Reitman’s latest film is Draft Day, starring Kevin Costner as the general manager of the Cleveland Browns, whose job is on the line if his upcoming draft doesn’t yield a team that impresses his owner (Frank Langella). Costner—who will appear in five films in 2014 after a decade of taking on about one project per year—also contends with Denis Leary as a new coach from some version of the Dallas Cowboys that is still winning titles instead of the nearly two-decade Super Bowl drought in real life. The NFL is a ratings juggernaut, the most popular cultural event in the country, and Draft Day brings all the excitement of the offseason to the screen. (But seriously, with a new coach, just find a way to get the best quarterback possible for the system—it’s the most important position in American sports.)
Draft Day doesn’t open until April 11, but we’ve got passes to a special early screening on Thursday, January 30 at the Showplace Icon. Just follow this link to Gofobo and enter the code AVCLUBV9NW to enter for tickets. A pass does not guarantee seats, so be sure to show up early. Read a synopsis and watch the trailer below.
On the day of the NFL Draft, general manager Sonny Weaver (Costner) has the opportunity to save football in Cleveland when he trades for the number one pick. He must quickly decide what he's willing to sacrifice in pursuit of perfection as the lines between his personal and professional life become blurred on a life-changing day for a few hundred young men with dreams of playing in the NFL.