anders-arndal First of all, I am very disappointed with peoples reviews in here. People are reviewing it bad because, "it's not for people outside of America.." "It's only for people who likes the nfl.", " It's only for Draft enthusiasts..", etc.. In my opinion, this movie is a fast based story driven movie, that does everything right. I myself, is from Denmark, Europe, and I am very interested in the NFL, and American football. We actually have American football in europe, if people wanna know, and it is actually a big sport in some countries. (france, Big Britain, Germany, Finland, etc.I made it a tradition at home now, to watch this movie, before the NFL draft every year, and last time I did, my girlfriend watched it with me. She isn't much interested in sports, but she gave it a go.. I was telling her she could just go to sleep when she was tired, because the Draft would start at 02:00am here in Denmark. Pretty late on a workday. She gave it a change, and after the first 15 mins of the movie, she was sucked into this new univers of the NFL Draft. The movie is nowhere near Jurassic Park, (a personal favorite of mine..) but I am comparing it with it anyways, because, what Jurassic Park was so good at, was drawing the audience into the movie, to make it so exciting. That is what Draft Day does as well. This is maybe not a 10/10 movie, but I think it desserves some support out of all the bad reviews in here. It doesn't desserve a rating under 7.5. There is BY FAR!! a lot worse movies out there than Draft Day!The Point is, IT IS watchable for people outside of USA, and it IS watchable for people, who isn't that interessted in football, but just wanna watch a good story driven movie! They mind end up getting a passion for football after all!

Searsino This is one of the better efforts I've seen that depicts what goes on behind the scenes in the National Football League during the actual draft. The film starts with a quote which describes everything you need to know before digging in:"32 Teams, 7 Rounds, 224 Young men who today are about to become players in the National Football League. A day where lives are changed, fates are decided, dynasties are born. And the clock is always ticking. Of course, I'm talking about draft day."Kevin Cosner is the real star here, giving an outstanding performance as the General Manager of a losing Cleveland Browns franchise. He is under an unbelievable amount of pressure to choose the best plan of action AND draft picks in order to correct the string of losses and inevitably save his own job.That's really all there is to it. This is a very accurate rendition of how a draft works behind the scenes, showing how coaches and GM's call one another to negotiate deals in a far less formal way than you may imagine. They all have a deep passion for this game, as many Americans do.What really won me over was the way that this builds up from the days before draft day right into the actual draft picks as the clock ticks. I actually felt the tension and was noticeably stressed out while watching them debate what to do next. The film was one giant crescendo to the very end.REGARDING THOSE NOT FAMILIAR WITH FOOTBALL:In much the same way that many Americans will watch films about soccer, rugby and cricket, this is no exception. I've watched the likes of "Death of a Gentleman" (Cricket), "Invictus" (Rugby), or Becoming Zlatan (European football) and managed to follow. Draft Day is no exception.Here are a few things for the unfamiliar that might help when watching:the way all these teams get talented new players is largely through a system set up by the league. Just like soccer teams have junior divisions, in football they take their picks from the best players on American college football teams. There really is no other way of finding high-quality athletes who can compete in this sport unless they were on a college team (generally, but there are exceptions).So on draft day, all football teams are given a number which determines the order for taking turns picking the best players all college teams across the country. This order is determined based on how well a team did the previous season (the last place team will pick first the following year, often getting the best college talent).This is of course is just the general idea. From that 1st pick, the teams all take turns selecting from remaining players to fill the positions they are in need of stronger talent. It's a giant game of strategy, trying to get more quality players that are needed at different positions before someone else comes and takes them.Hopefully this helps. There have not been any films that I have seen depict the strategy that goes into the draft (selection process) in the NFL. It is also a big deal for the players who want to be picked, because they are not allowed to make any money while playing football in college (don't ask why, it just works that way). So to be picked is likened to finding out you have won the lottery (finally going to make good money).And finally, regardless of opinion, this was made for just $25 million (USD) which is next to nothing comparing to your average run-of-the-mill budget.----- 7/10 STARS -------- Review by Searsino -----

Dr_Sagan First of all don't confuse this for a "Sports" movie.It revolves around the NFL Draft, an annual event where the NFL managers are selecting players to join their teams.It is a USA football thing, so if you are living in another continent, it is rather difficult to understand the rules and even more the point of this whole charade.About the rules is something of a Poker game. At least as it looks in this picture. The manager of team A is on the phone with the manager of team B and they talk things like "I am giving you 2 of my first picks of the second round to give me your first pick for the next 2 years..." and so on.Again, this is NOT about who wins a game or a trophy. This is merely about picking players whom you think they might be useful to your team. In the actual games they may proved to be bad choices, or injured or whatever, and despite being happy about your choices in the NFL draft, eventually to lose games and the season.Now as movie "Draft Day" is carefully designed.The direction and editing are trying to be "edgy" with unique split screen effects during the numerous phone-calls between the team managers. You can see for example Kevin Costner (who plays the lead role as an experienced yet unconventional manager) in a split screen walking into the other side of the frame where the manager of the other team is.The music has a certain triumphant feeling without being to much in your face and the whole production is carefully designed.I point that out because in this movie you have constantly the feeling that you are seeing great things taking place. Like every little decision is something that could change the world. But in reality all these "decisions" are something of a micromanagement. In the end and if you actually pay attention, what is happening and what the characters are talking about is totally uninteresting......and for the rest of the world, outside the US, confusing and pointless.

mheinrich-16377 Kevin Costner mailed in his performance. Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, even Liam Neeson would have brought the needed passion and range of emotion to the Sonny Weaver, Jr.'s character. Kevin Costner plays it like he's Dennis Weaver. So, surprisingly, did Denis Leary. I can only guess that Denis had no input as to his dialogue and the director refused to allow any ad lib's or spontaneity. I expected more energy and intensity from a life long football man. Only in the finals 10 minutes is there any sense of draft day excitement in Costner's character. The other actors playing GMs do a much better job. So did the supporting cast of Cleveland Browns scouts and execs, (except Leary). Jennifer Garner is wasted in this movie. There is no visible chemistry between Costner and Garner: no sense of why these character's even like each other, much less took the time to make a baby. Frank Langella is excellent, and visibly having fun with his role.