An excellent youth-oriented film which, thanks to its theme of American football, was undeservedly denied a release over here on its first appearance. Former cinematographer Michael Chapman made an impressive directorial debut, and Tom Cruise took another stride towards superstardom, as the high school senior struggling to escape the environment of a depressed steel town. A gritty script by Michael Kane gives Cruise ample opportunities to demonstrate his growing range as an actor, especially in scenes with Charles Cioffi, as his father, and with Craig T Nelson, who is superb as the hard-nosed coach who wants the big time as much as Cruise. Lea Thompson is also impressive as Cruise's girlfriend, while the love scenes between them are low-key and dramatically responsible.

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