Varsity Blues

Varsity Blues is a 1999 American comedy and drama sports movie. It is about a small town high school football team and their coach.

Plot

Jonathan "Mox" Moxon is an intelligent and academically talented quarterback on the West Canaan High School football team. But although he is popular at school, has a smart girlfriend and has easy friendships with other players, he isn't satisfied with his life. He wants to attend Brown University in Rhode Island. He is constantly disagreeing with his football-obsessed father Sam.

The verbally abusive Bud Kilmer cares just for winning, and at all costs. Kilmer has won two state titles and 22 district championships. His philosophy, though, begins taking a toll on the team's all state starting quarterback, Lance Harbor. Harbor is Jules's brother.

Cast

James Van Der Beek as Jonathon "Mox" Moxon, an academically successful, rebellious backup quarterback
Jon Voight as Bud Kilmer, the Coyotes' 30-year head coach
Paul Walker as Lance Harbor, the original captain and starting quarterback of the Coyotes, and Jules's older brother
Amy Smart as Jules Harbor, Mox's girlfriend and Lance's younger sister
Ron Lester as Billy Bob, an overweight, powerful offensive guard
Scott Caan as Charlie Tweeder, a wild, hard partying wide receiver for the Coyotes
Eliel Swinton as Wendell Brown, the running back and one of three African American players on the team
Ali Larter as Darcy Sears, Lance's girlfriend and the head cheerleader
Richard Lineback as Joe Harbor, Lance's and Jules's father
Thomas F. Duffy as Sam Moxon, Mox's football-obsessed father
Joe Pichler as Kyle Moxon, Mox's younger brother who is into religion rather than football

Reception

The movie opened at #1 at the United States' box office. It made $17.5 million in its opening week.

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times said in his review: "Scenes work, but they don't pile up or build momentum."

Awards

1999 Teen Choice Awards

Choice Movie: Breakout Star — James Van Der Beek (won)
Choice Movie: Drama (nominated)
Choice Movie: Soundtrack

1999 MTV Movie Awards

Best Breakout Male Performance: James Van Der Beek (won)
Best Movie Song: Nice Guys Finish Last by Green Day (nominated)

2000 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards

Best Male Newcomer: James Van Der Beek (nominated)

References

↑ "Moviegoers Get the Blues". The Los Angeles Times. 20 January 1999. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
↑ "Varsity Blues". Roger Ebert. Retrieved October 5, 2019. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

[1] "Moviegoers Get the Blues". The Los Angeles Times. 20 January 1999. Retrieved October 5, 2019.

[2] "Varsity Blues". Roger Ebert. Retrieved October 5, 2019. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)