BY JASON LYNCH
CRITIC'S CHOICE
DRAMA
With nothing left to lose—his wife and teaching job are already gone—Vince Papale (Wahlberg) attends open tryouts for his beloved, basement-dwelling Philadelphia Eagles. His grit impresses new coach Dick Vermeil (Kinnear) and reinvigorates both the team and its downtrodden fans.
It could be just another artificial, manipulative feel-good film, but Invincible, based on a true story, honestly earns its grins, tears and goose bumps. In a confident debut, director Ericson Core smartly goes easy on the schmaltz. Ditto Wahlberg, who keeps Papale grounded, as if he expects his improbable dream to end at any moment. (PG)
