Critic Reviews

A pleasant surprise. [30 Sep 1993]

Shows great series potential.

Refreshing, low-key and true to its small-town Texas setting, the series goes against the grain of most so-called current "family entertainment." This isn't another inane sitcom with dopey adults and unbearably cute kiddies. Everyone here seems natural, real. [1 Oct 1993]

The writing is erudite and classy, the acting first-rate and the setting relatively novel. [1 Oct 1993]

What distinguishes 'Grain' from many Hollywood efforts is its feel for the rhythms of small town life. ... If many of the plot points seem familiar, ''Grain'' also has a nice way of exceeding expectations, calling characters up short or twisting the plot in ways you may not see coming. [1 Oct 1993]

"Against the Grain" is kitsch masquerading as rugged regional realism and is, surprisingly, involving on both counts. [29 Sep 1993]

This earnest Texas saga of high-school football and larger life goals really does go against the grain. It's not an annoying sitcom, for one. And it has a generally terrific cast and positive values. But in terms of ambition and depth, it fumbles on a gridiron of self-righteous improbability. [1 Oct 1993]

The title of this feel-good drama is an unintended irony. Against the Grain is anything but. It goes with the grain, gently stroking the viewer with predictable storytelling and heartland homilies.

A wholesome family saga loaded with positive role models, the NBC series turns what could have been a 1993 version of "The Last Picture Show" into an idealized fantasy about an inspirational "local legend" who revitalizes a losing team that was "the pride of Texas" 20 years ago. [1 Oct 1993]

Although its inconsistencies begin to spread gratingly as it heads into its second half hour, "Against the Grain" is fairly pleasant viewing until it impales itself on its artificial, unrealistically giddy ending.