The Senior, from Angel Studios

Mike Flynt played football for Permian High School, one of the two schools prominently featured in Friday Night Lights. He then went on to one of the most unconventional collegiate careers ever. He was team captain his junior year, but he was expelled just as the next year started. Of course, that left a full year of college eligibility that he returns to fulfill in Rod Lurie’s The Senior, which opens today in theaters, from Angel Studios.

Flynt’s one great regret was missing out on his senior year of football. Years later, he still has anger management issues, despite the positive influence of his tough but loving wife Eileen. Although Flynt was more restrained than his emotionally abusive father J.V., he still repeated some of the same mistakes with his grown son, Micah.

Reluctantly, Flynt returns for a team reunion, finding he is still welcome at Sul Ross State University. Although he wouldn’t put it in such terms, Flynt clearly believes he has long suffered from bad karma caused by the loss of his senior year, so he decides to re-balance the mojo scales by re-enrolling and completing his college eligibility. Of course, that will be easier said than done for the 59-year-old, but Coach Sam Weston agrees to let him try out.

Naturally, Flynt makes each successive cut (sometimes just barely), but Weston remains reluctant to actually put him into a game. Heck, even Weston likens Flynt to Sean Astin in Rudy. Nevertheless, Flynt slowly and steadily wins over most of his teammates, who appreciate his advice regarding matters on and off the field. Nevertheless, there are some who still resent him for being a distraction or a novelty act.

In fact, it is rather easy and apt to describe The Senior as a cross between Rudy and Friday Night Lights, but Robert Eisele’s screenplay is more restrained and less manipulative than most sports movies. Flynt must finally deal with more important things than the last game of the season.

Christian faith also has a positive role to play, which will most likely not offend Angel’s core demographics. However, Lurie and Eisele introduce such themes in smart, unobtrusive ways. The most overt references involve Flynt’s stern father’s secret turn towards Christianity, in hopes of finding some degree of redemption or atonement. Frankly, this modest subplot lands with as much force as the gridiron business.

Without a doubt, Michael Chiklis is perfectly cast as Flynt. He has the right charging-bull physique and the necessary mileage. He also eloquently expresses the 59-year-old linebacker’s insecurities and guilt. Likewise, Rob Corddry does some of his best film work ever, playing it scrupulously straight as Coach Weston. Mary Stuart Masterson (who was second or third level Brat Pack member) also nicely elevates the role of Eileen Flynt beyond a conveniently supportive wife. Indeed, there is nothing passive about her portrayal.

The Israeli-American Lurie (who has justifiably argued Hollywood must do more to fight anti-Semitism), demonstrates a surprising affinity for the film’s West Texas setting. Just about everyone in the film holds traditional Middle American values, which are a source of strength rather than a weakness. Football is also critically important, but Lurie and company keep it in proper perspective. Highly recommended for fans of football movies and Angel Studios, The Senior opens today (9/19) in New York, at the AMC Empire and Kipps Bay.