#REVIEW: “80 FOR BRADY”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

80 for Brady is a gleeful ride with four G.O.A.Ts who travel to see the G.O.A.T of Football.

The Film is based on the true life story of four best friends that travelled to the 2017 Super Bowl to see their hero, Tom Brady, play his final championship game. Their love for the sport started 16 years ago when Lou (Lily Tomlin) was going through Chemotherapy. Lou and her friends Trish (Jane Fonda), Betty (Sally Field) and Maura (Rita Moreno) have credited her recovery to the sport and Brady himself. Unable to afford tickets to the big game, the group call into a local sports show that’s giving away tickets to the caller with the best story. Lucky for them, Lou wins and the lively group begin a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

The best way to describe 80 for Brady is that it is like Girls Trip meets Golden Girls. These are women in their 80s, well all but Betty who loves to remind everyone she’s 75, who are constantly thirsting after Brady. They comment on his physic and that of his fellow colleagues. Trish even has a popular, raunchy, fan-fiction novel published about the New England Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski. Screenwriters Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins have loaded the Script with these hilarious, joyful moments that make it irresistible. 

And luckily, the Filmmakers have landed their accomplished talent. Director Kyle Marvin clearly trusts his beloved Cast, allowing them to run wild. It’s a true treat to see these four G.O.A.Ts do what they do best, and look like they’re having the time of their lives doing it. Fonda is delightful as the quick to fall in love Trish. Field is hilarious as the responsible retired MIT professor Betty who always sees the statistics. Moreno is tremendous as Maura who never loses a bet. A highlight is when she accidentally eats a ‘special’ gummy bear at a party and ends up playing poker. And Tomlin anchors the bunch as Lou who will stop at nothing to see Brady play in the championship game.

There are tons of cameos that happen throughout the Film. Guy Fieri hosts a Spicy Wing-eating contest that Betty competes in. And we get, possibly, too many of him when Maura eats that gummy. Actual New England Patriots make cameos and Brady himself, who also produces the Film, has a prominent role to play. In Lou’s imagination, he speaks to her, encouraging her to get to the Super Bowl. And when we get to the game, he’s got a much bigger role to play.

You don’t need to know anything about Football, or even like it. You don’t need to be familiar with these hilarious leading ladies, although I’m judging you if you aren’t. And NO, you don’t need to be 80 to relate to the story. The Script, direction and the superior Cast make 80 for Brady a film for the whole family. Whether you’re a Football fan, or Comedy, young, old or right int he middle —  there is literally something for everyone.

Paramount Pictures Canada release 80 FOR BRADY on Friday, February 3, 2023.