Analysis of Undefeated Film - Paper Example

Undefeated is a 2011 sports documentary film that tells the story of three teenage American Football players from poor backgrounds, their high school team, and their inspirational coach. The film is mainly an observational documentary as the narrative is apparently moved along as the audience follows the lives of the main characters as opposed to the action being set up. Undefeated definitely went down well with both critics and viewers considering that it bagged an Academy Award for Best Documentary Film.

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The film may present itself as a look into a season of a high school football team in a poverty-stricken area of North Memphis, Tennessee. However, upon a closer examination, the viewer gets to see that it is about a lot much more. In the real sense, it is not a look into how football games are won or lost. Rather, it is all about how young people live lives full of daunting challenges, and how they realize in a dramatic manner what really matters and what does not. It focuses on the lives of three of the teams best players: O.C. Brown, Montrail "Money" Brown, and Chavis Daniels as well as their coach Bill Courtney. O.C. is a very fast 300-pounder although his promising potential is jeopardized by poor grades. Montrail is mentally tough and determined player with a bright future, only that he experiences a situation he did not anticipate. Despite having a natural talent, Daniels has anger management issues while trying to settle into the team after serving time in a youth penitentiary.

The fact that Undefeated was set in Manassas High School highlights a theme of overcoming all odds since it is an unlikely institution for anything dramatic to take place. North Memphis was on an economic decline following the closure of a local tire factory years before. Also, the school had not won a single game in over four years, or a playoff game in its history stretching for over a century. This apparent culture of poverty began changing when the charismatic Courtney took over as the coach. He has a unique combination of casual eloquence and bluntness that goes a long way in encouraging players to perform well. All in all, it is not smooth sailing for a school like Manassas located in a tough neighborhood full of crime. The team is always experiencing major setbacks since players are involved in fights, arrested or even shot.

Some people may think that American football builds character. However, after watching Undefeated, it becomes apparent that the game actually reveals character. Just a few minutes into the film, Courtneys team loses its first game of the season. It becomes obvious to viewers that the films title has a figurative rather than a literal meaning; a narrative of a team with a spirit that could not be broken. The story follows the team for the entire 2009 season; focusing not just on the coach, but also on the three players mentioned above whom he was particularly connected to and concerned about.

Undefeated succeeds mainly because of cordial relationship between the directors and the cast. Also, as is the case with many documentaries, the film also benefits from the unexpected emotional episodes that occur along the way. It is a real-life narrative whereby things get worse rather than improve. For instance, players become obstinate, while the coachs involvement comes at a great personal cost. Hence, it is not possible for the viewer to anticipate what is going to happen next.