The Replacements *** (2000, Keanu Reeves, Gene Hackman, Jack Warden, Jon Favreau, Rhys Ifans) – Classic Movie Review 4887

Director Howard Deutch’s genial, enjoyable and well-acted 2000 sports comedy The Replacements stars Keanu Reeves as Shane Falco, the scab strike-breaking American pro-football player, who replaces the All-Pro star quarterback Eddie Martel (Brett Cullen) when he goes on strike.

In Vince McEwin’s neatly written screenplay, an American football team goes on strike, so the worried team owner Edward O’Neil (Jack Warden) enlists a legendary old coach called Jimmy McGinty (Gene Hackman), who hires a team of substitute players.

The screenplay is based on the real-life 1987 pro-football players’ strike, though it is not supposed to be connected with it despite many similarities between the film’s Washington team and the real-life team. The 1987 replacement Washington Redskins won all three of their replacement games.

Also in the cast are Jon Favreau, Rhys Ifans (as Nigel Gruff!), Gailard Sartain, Brooke Langton, Orlando Jones, Faizon Love, Art LaFleur, Troy Winbush, Michael Jace, Michael Taliferro and Brett Cullen as the All-Pro quarterback.

Gene Hackman and Jack Warden in The Replacements (2000).

The Replacements is set in Washington DC, but was filmed in and around Baltimore, including at the Baltimore Ravens’ stadium.

It is the final film of Jack Warden, who died on 19 July 2006, aged 85.

Reeves gained 23 lbs for his role and was offered a tryout with the Baltimore Ravens.

The Replacements is directed by Howard Deutch, runs 118 minutes, is made by Bel Air Entertainment, Dylan Sellers Productions and Warner Bros, is released by Warner Bros, is written by Vince McEwin, is shot by Tak Fujimoto, is produced by Dylan Sellers and is scored by John Debney.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 4887

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