Taglines: The greatest victories don’t always happen on the field.
Draft Day is an American sports drama film directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Kevin Costner. It was released on April 11, 2014. The premise revolves around the general manager of the Cleveland Browns (Kevin Costner) deciding what to do when his team acquires the number one draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. The film premiered in Los Angeles on April 7, 2014, with its United States release following on April 11.
On the morning of the 2014 NFL Draft in New York City, Chris Berman, Jon Gruden, Mel Kiper Jr., and other analysts discuss the consensus first overall pick: Wisconsin quarterback Bo Callahan, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. Cleveland Browns general manager Sonny Weaver Jr., must decide how to use the seventh overall pick to improve his consistently losing team, but has other issues. He recently learned that his secret girlfriend Ali Parker, the team’s salary cap analyst, is pregnant with his child. His father, Sonny Weaver Sr., coached the Browns before Weaver Jr. fired him, and died a week before the draft. His mother is upset at him for missing the reading of Weaver Sr.’s will.
The Seattle Seahawks hold the first overall pick, which general manager Tom Michaels offers to trade to the Browns. Weaver declines, but before leaving for the draft team owner Anthony Molina—dissatisfied with current quarterback Brian Drew—orders him to accept. The Browns give their three first-round draft picks over the next three years for the top pick. Many Seahawks fans want Callahan, however, and express their displeasure with picket signs at CenturyLink Field and on social media, demanding Michaels’ firing.
The unexpected chance to obtain Callahan excites Browns fans. Most in the Browns’ front office agree despite the high price; Drew and head coach Vince Penn are the exceptions. Penn agrees that Callahan is excellent but does not want to teach a rookie quarterback his system offense, and prefers running back Ray Jennings of Florida State. Drew, who led the team to a 5–1 start the previous year before injury, fears losing his job. The trade leaks after a tweet by linebacker Vontae Mack of Ohio State, another possible choice for Weaver with the seventh pick. Mack wants to play for the Browns, and fears not being chosen in the first round. He advises Weaver to rewatch the game in which he sacked Callahan four times. Teams contact Weaver for possible transactions based on the trade; one from the Houston Texans implies that Mack may not remain available to the Browns in the second round.
The only flaws in Callahan are possible character issues: A report that none of his teammates attending his birthday party, and Callahan allegedly lying to the Washington Redskins about reading the team’s playbook. When the draft begins that evening at Radio City Music Hall, the Browns have ten minutes to make the first overall pick. Weaver abruptly chooses Mack; Roger Goodell’s announcement of the selection amazes the league and the front office. While a relieved Drew believes that his job is safe, Molina angrily flies back to Cleveland to confront Weaver. Callahan has an anxiety attack, and leaves the theater until his agent persuades him to return. The pick surprises Penn as much as it does the others, but he discovers that before dying Weaver Sr. advised his son to choose Mack “no matter what”.
Draft Day
Directed by: Ivan Reitman
Starring: Tom Welling, Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner, Terry Crews, Sam Elliott, Ellen Burstyn, Denis Leary, Chadwick Boseman, Sean Combs, Sarah Wright, Gillian Jacobs
Screenplay by: Scott Rothman, Rajiv Joseph
Production Design by: Perry Andelin Blake
Cinematography by: Jonathan Brown
Film Editing by: Patrick J. Don Vito
Costume Design by: Lindsay McKay
Set Decoration by: Karen O’Hara
Music by: John Debney
MPAA Rating: R for brief strong language.
Studio: Summit Entertainment
Release Date: April 11, 2014
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