Genre: Drama/Sports
Director: Chloe Zhao
Writer: Jimmy Ellis & Chad Taylor
Cast: Mahershala Ali, Jharrel Jerome, Paul Mescal, Forrest Goodluck, Asante Blackk, Marlee Matlin, Rutina Wesley, Julianne Nicholson, Eion Bailey, Juliana Canfield, Russell Harvard, Victor Garber
Plot: Inspired by a True Story
Silence fills the air, vibrations and rumblings can be heard, then suddenly 3 loud beats can be heard, the beats are from a drum, the camera focuses on John Henry Moore (Mahershala Ali) swinging one final time beating the drum with a bat. On the field the players complete their final snap of the season, being tackled for a loss. The Rangers lost yet another game but the players didn’t seem to mind too much, walking off the field with their heads held high and looking to the crowd. The people in it are waving with both hands to showcase clapping.
Back in the dressing room John signs to his team, he states that he cannot be prouder of the men they have become and the steps they have taken this season. He tells them all that he hopes to see them back next year and improve on this season as a whole. Quarterback Luke Washington (Paul Mescal) stands and signs to his coach that he is glad they could do this together. He also wishes luck to the seniors that will be gone next year, before leading the team in a clap by waving both hands.
Back at home John Henry Moore is listening to the radio as an announcer reads off football scores, he himself is not deaf. His wife, Dalia (Marlee Matlin), walks into the room, upon seeing John she signs that she has tried talking to Boman about looking into universities, but he will not talk to her. She asks John to try and talk to his son about it. John makes his way through the home and to his son’s bedroom.
Before entering he knocks on the door, then on the table just inside the door, Boman (Asante Blackk) hears the vibrations and turns to see his father. Textbooks scatter the room and the tables around it. John asks why won’t talk to his mother about schools. Boman explains that he doesn’t want to apply to university, he feels he will not be accepted due to his hearing impairments. John assures him that the schools do not care about what one can hear but about what one knows. He adds that Boman is one of the smartest kids he knows and that any school would be stupid to pass on him. John asks him what school he wants to go to.
We arrive at a luxury home where the parents of Luke Washington (evident through photos around the house), speak aloud about a corrective surgery for their son. Arthur (Eion Bailey) and Rebecca Washington (Julianne Nicholson) are researching through pamphlets and online about different ways their son can get his hearing back. When Luke enters the room, Rebecca runs over to him with a pamphlet showing him that he has an option. He keeps walking and signs back to them that he doesn’t feel like serious talk now (so soon after the loss).
We hear the roar of a crowd as we arrive at a semi-final game in the Texas high school playoffs. Houston Southlake star running back Amar Okeke (Jharrel Jerome) lines up in the backfield and looks to the sideline as the coaches hold up signs that show the play. He reads the defense as the sound becomes more faint and the ball is snapped. It is a handoff to Amar, who finds the hole and then breaks a tackle to make his way down the field. The safety ends up catching him at the five-yard-line after a 30-yard rush. The sound comes back in as the announcers say that Amar has crossed 200 yards for the game. The situation is set: Southlake trails by 6 with 40 seconds left. A touchdown will win it. The coach makes a call and the quarterback relays it to the team. Amar realizes that it is a pass play and he tries to protest as he wants the ball. They run the play and the QB rolls out to the throw it to the tight end. It is intercepted and the season ends there for Southlake.
At home, Amar stands before a photo of his father in military uniform, he kisses the photo before his mother, Kendis (Rutina Wesley), enters the room. As she has not learnt sign language yet, she speaks into her phone. The phone translates into text and says that she has found a school for the deaf nearby, she says that she thinks it wise that Amar goes there to learn how to live being deaf. He shakes his head and says he wants to just play football. He’s got power conference schools recruiting him. Kendis smiles saying they have a football team at this school, and that he should think about going there, it will help him a lot. After a moment thinking on it, he holds back tears and says that his mom always knows what is right - even if he does not agree in this situation.
6 Months Later
The Texas sun beams down on blades of grass as Coach Moore stands on Texas School for the Deaf’s empty field with his assistant coach Scott Allen (Russell Harvard). They watch from the sideline as his team arrives one-by-one for the first day of practice for the new year. Luke is starting his senior year, his third under center as starting quarterback. Diego Salsedo (Forrest Goodluck), the team’s best defensive player, arrives and Coach Moore jokes that he’s surprised that Diego is on time. Coach notices someone in the corner of eye and we see that it is Amar, staying by himself near the bleachers. He asks Scott about him. Scott says that word on the street is that he’s a college-ready running back from Houston who is facing the gradual onset of Ménière’s disease and has decided to transfer to the school for his senior year. Coach cracks a slight smile, wondering if he can unlock the kid’s full potential.
Coach huddles his team together before they start practice and gives them the first talk of the season. They are relatively small, with just barely enough players to be able to field a full team. He says that he knows they didn’t end last season like they wanted to but he believes they can surprise some people this year. There are a lot of nods in agreement. He has the new freshmen players all introduce themselves and, after that, turns to Amar. Amar struggles through signing his own introduction. Luke, noticing this, steps in and helps him finish it. Amar thanks him. Coach welcomes all the newcomers and says that he doesn’t know about them but he is ready to get things started. We see a montage of the team practicing over the summer, including the coaches realizing how good Amar is.
The school year begins and the start of the football season nears. We find that Luke is very popular and has already started to form a bond with Amar, as the school’s best athletes. When their class ends, the teacher Ms. Harper (Juliana Canfield) requests that Diego stays behind. Behind her back, some of the other students joke about Diego hooking up with the teacher but he dismisses them. When everyone leaves, we find out that she was Diego’s summer school teacher and she tells him that she has been grading the final homework and that things are not looking good. Diego looks a little indifferent, saying that he tried his best. She tells him the seriousness of the situation: if he gets an F in that summer class, his GPA will make him ineligible for the football team. He needs to ace his final exam, due two weeks from now. She recommends that he ask one of her best students to be his temporary tutor: Boman Moore. He looks uncomfortable with this, pointing out how they could not be any more different in personality. Ms. Harper says that she wants him to succeed but sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone to do that.
The first Friday of the season comes and it is on the road against one of the biggest public schools in Austin. Coach communicates to his team that he knows they are underdogs but that every game this season will give them something to build off of - win or lose. When the team hits the field, we get a full glimpse at how Henry coaches the team. They use a large drum to simulate the snap count, so the whole team can feel the vibrations and be on the same page. The game gets off to a hot start with a 62 yard rush for a touchdown by Amar on the first drive. When Austin gets the ball, Diego forces their running back to fumble and it is returned for a touchdown. Miraculously, the Rangers hold onto this lead until halftime - where Coach Moore lets them know they need to keep doing what they’re doing. However, in the second half, everything goes wrong for the team as Austin storm back and win 31-14. As the team fell behind, they needed to pass more - leaving Amar frustrated. After the loss, the players feel like it is more of the same but Coach Moore says that he saw potential tonight.
Diego and Boman sit in the library going over notes. Diego doesn’t seem interested at all and can only think about football. Boman notices this and develops a new system of tutoring him. Boman teaches through football. Anything that can relate he makes relate, making things interesting for Diego. As Boman continuously mentions football Diego becomes more intrigued. Although not the biggest fan of football Boman knows about it from his father allowing him to educate Diego in the ways he knows how. The two of them begin sharing a back and forth conversation and eventually begin talking about things other than football and education. They talk about life, about their families. We learn that Diego’s mother is of the Tsimshian tribe while his father is of Mexican descent. The two form a tight bond, Boman eventually ends up agreeing that after lessons the two will go out and throw the football. Ms. Harper looks on with a smile as she notices the two boys spending time with each other.
Luke and his parents sit down with Dr. Vernon (Victor Garber). Vernon tells Luke that the surgery that he is contemplating has saved many a person’s hearing. Vernon continues saying that it is a costly surgery however, but Arthur proudly speaks saying money is not a problem. Vernon tells them that the surgery can be done in approximately 3 months’ time as they have others in line. Arthur tries to accelerate that by floating around the fact they are wealthy, but Vernon assures him 4 months is the earliest. Both Arthur and Rebecca look to Luke and as if pressure by his parents to make a decision, Luke agrees to the surgery. Dr Vernon tells them of the paperwork that they can get from his receptionist as Luke looks to his feet.
Amar and Kendis go on a visit to a college program that has been recruiting him. While they both love the campus and program atmosphere, Amar feels like something is off. Afterwards, he vents to his mom that he feels like they have cooled off on him over the course of the last year - particularly after the school switch. He punches his fist into the wall in frustration while she assures him that he will go to a school that appreciates him.
Diego and Boman meet with Ms. Harper. She thanks Boman for tutoring Diego this past month and reveals to them both that she has Diego’s results. Diego looks to Boman preparing himself for the results. She hands him the envelope and he opens it to reveals his paper. His paper reads 73%. Diego looks to Boman and develops a big smile. He hugs Boman and excitedly signs to Ms Harper thanking her for pairing him with Boman. Harper thanks him saying she didn’t want to stop him playing football. They smile as Diego and Boman leave the room.
After the first game loss, the team starts to find their groove. They strike a good balance between the pass and run game. We see a montage as the team wins four in a row. Amar emerges as a star and his mom notices that the scouts are starting to show up to the games and see that he hasn’t lost a step. However, the team begins to run into a serious problem as they start to amass injuries. This comes to a head in week 6 when their best receiver has a lower leg injury. This puts the team a few spots under the required amount to field a team. When the news comes back that the receiver's injury is a six-week injury, Coach Moore talks with Coach Allen about the difficult decision that faces the team as they might need to cancel the season. He says that an option is dropping down to the 8-man football league but doesn’t want his team to feel like they are going down to lower competition. Scott says that the team just want to play and this will provide them with that opportunity - even if it is not what they planned going in. Moore agrees and says he’ll let the team know they’re making the switch.
Luke talks with his mother about telling the team and coach about the surgery. Rebecca thinks it would be best to tell them now but she ultimately believes that he will do what’s right for himself. He needs to be selfish in this situation and think about his future. Rebecca hugs Luke before having to head off to work. As she leaves we see Luke sitting and contemplating about telling them.
Rumors start to spread amongst the school about the season in jeopardy. Amar vents to Diego that he needs this to complete this season - preferably against top competition - so he can keep recruiting eyes on him. Diego has a moment of thought and then says he has an idea. After lunch, he pulls Boman aside and they schedule their next tutoring session. While there, Diego asks Boman if he ever considered playing football. Boman laughs at this and points to his undersized frame and asks Diego what he thinks the answer to that is. Diego says that he knows that Boman’s dad loves him wholeheartedly, but if there is something else he loves with all his soul, it is football. And with the season on the brink, they need another player. Boman says he didn’t realize that. Diego points out how smart Boman is and how easy it would be for him to pick up the playbook. And Diego will also help in the weightroom. Boman is non-commital but can sense some desperation in his friend’s eyes. He begins nodding and says he’ll do it.
On the car ride home Boman sits next to his father feeling the vibrations of the music that his dad can hear. As the two arrive home Boman immediately tells Boman he needs to talk to him. John Henry sits down and allows Boman to communicate what’s on his mind. Apprehensively Boman tells his father that he knows the football team is looking for another player, and he was thinking that he could be that person. John Henry stands saying absolutely not, he can’t have his son playing football without any prior experience, sure they played in the backyard but it is different he could be hurt out there. Boman argues with his father saying that he is the only one stepping up to the plate to play for him, no one else will do it. Boman says he will be doing some weight training with Diego to at least add a little size and he will for the time being focus on football, he knows that all of the other kids want this, and he just wants to be apart of something. Dalia watching on calls John Henry over and she tells him to let him play, he has no-one else and Boman will do what his father tells him to, he is a good kid. John Henry goes on to say that he will not be his father while coaching though, he will be as hard on him as he is the others. Boman seeing what he said, bangs the table, getting his fathers attention, Boman then says he wouldn’t want it any other way. John Henry hugs Boman and says they have some plays to learn.
As the team have been winning games, they have secured a playoff berth. All are happy and go out for dinner, except for Luke. Luke goes home instead to talk with his parents about the surgery.
Luke sits down with his parents as they congratulate him on winning, but glad that he has chosen his health ahead of the team. Luke however shakes his head saying that he doesn’t need to get the surgery right now, right now he needs to be there for his team. Right now he wants to win the championship. With tears coming from his eyes he tells his parents that he doesn’t feel like his hearing is disabling him from a future. He will still get into schools with it. His parents try to explain to him what he will be missing out on, but Luke says that he is going out with the team. He leaves to re-join the team out at dinner.
Arriving at the dinner Luke immediately pulls John Henry aside for a private conversation. He tells him about the struggle between picking his hearing or his team. John Henry feels the sense that he will pick his hearing, however when Luke tells him that he wants to lead the team to the championship, John Henry is overcome with joy. However he questions his decision. Luke simply looks at John Henry and tells him the team comes first, he can’t let them down now. John Henry hugs Luke as they return to the team dinner
We see a montage of the team stringing together victories in the playoffs. Boman mainly stays on the bench and helps his dad with plotting out plays while Luke really catches fire and puts the team on his back. They eventually clench their spot in the state championship game in the division for small schools.
Before the game, Coach Moore comes to tears as he is giving his pre-game speech. While he is usually calm and collected, he can see on their faces how much this season has meant to them. He lets them know that, no matter the end result, he considers them all winners. The team walk under the bright lights of AT&T Stadium in Dallas, one of the largest stadiums in America. As they warm up, Amar spots the recruiter for his dream school in the crowd and this pumps him up.
The game is low-scoring at first with both defenses shutting the star offensive players down, with Diego making his mark all over the field. Our Rangers fall behind at halftime after a field goal makes it 10-7. The second half gets off to a rough star after a rough tackle leaves Amar hobbled. He promises to Coach Moore and Coach Allen that he can tough it out. They go through with it but lighten his workload. The deficit worsens in the fourth after Luke is sacked for a safety, making the score 12-7. As the other team tries to wind the clock down, Diego is able to force a fumble and the Rangers recover.
The team drives down the field to the five-yard line with four seconds remaining. They need to score a touchdown to take the lead as a field goal won’t cut it. Coach Moore says it is time to use their secret weapon and calls in Boman. He says the other team knows Amar will be the threat so he calls for play action that will see Luke rolling out to pass to Boman. When the team gets to the huddle, Luke looks into the eyes of his teammates. The passion in Amar’s. The fear in Boman’s. He calls an audible and changes it to a pitch play to Amar. They break.
The movie goes silent. Coach Moore bangs his drum to let the team know the snap count. When the ball is hiked, instead of faking, Luke pitches it to Amar. Coach Allen drops his head while Coach Moore watches intently. Amar jukes a defender and has another to beat before the endzone. Improbably, Boman - the smallest player on the field - puts in a block and clears the path for Amar to score. The Rangers win the state championship.
Afterwards, Amar runs over to his mom in the stands. To his surprise, she signs to him that she is proud of him and loves him very much. Upon seeing that she has learned sign language, he breaks down in tears. Luke similarly embraces with his parents, who realize that he made the right decision as the surgery can happen any time but this is once-in-a-lifetime. Coach Moore gives his son a hug before tipping his hat to Diego to thank him for training Boman. Diego, meanwhile, gives a sly wave to Ms. Harper in the crowd but she immediately shuts this down, much to the teasing of some of his teammates. She does congratulate him for a job well done though.
On the bus ride home, the camera moves its way through the rows as we see the smiles on the players faces as they converse and read stories on social media about their win. At the front of the bus, Coach Moore leans his head against the window and closes his eyes. He cracks a smile.
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