Critic Reviews
70
Metascore
Generally Favorable
positive
31(89%)
mixed
4(11%)
negative
0(0%)
Showing 35 Critic Reviews
All Reviews
All Reviews
Metascore
Metascore
100
There isn't a bad performance here, but besides Thornton, Luke stands out.
100
The best sports movie for years, as it's not about sport at all. Forget fears of jingoistic grandstanding, this is an un-American all-American tale that deserves attention.
90
Few films have shown so powerfully the slashing double edge of sports fever.
88
A smart, sharp, stirring adaptation of the H.G. Bissinger best-seller.
88
The movie demonstrates the power of sports to involve us; we don't live in Odessa and are watching a game played 16 years ago, and we get all wound up.
88
One of the best football movies ever, Nights in the end celebrates the game.
83
Thornton, giving a splendid, disciplined performance, seamlessly shapes his coach into a believable man of quality rather than star-size charisma.
80
The film lets you get caught up in the excitement of this religion and the addictive nature of those stadium lights. Berg and cinematographer Tobias Schliessler get up close to the action, catching the hits and miscues in all their violent urgency.
80
The movie works because Berg never forgets to keep his heart in the game and not just his head.
80
Country singer and sometime actor Tim McGraw excels as the bitter, besotted ex-Panther who can't cut his kid enough slack to follow his own game plan.
