I saw Varsity Blues on video this WE. What an interesting,
subversive movie. It is interesting because in this era of rapant,
unrestrained, and unquestioned capitalism, a film that at it's
heart is socialist is interesting because of its rarity.
The story is ostensibly about high school football in Texas. As
with most things in America, they just do it a little larger and
with more ferver in Texas. The protagonist, played by James Van
Der Beek, rebells against the Coach, played by Jon Voigt, who is
a God in this modern religion of high school football. The coach
is the heavy and his win at all costs is the capitalistic mantra
to which I referred. He pushes his players to the breaking point
and when they break, he doesn't think twice about using drugs to
get them a little bit further. If they break beyond repair, he
abandons them.
One of the most interesting characters is Billy Bob, played by
Ron Lester. This metric ton of youthful exuberence gives an over
the top performance. And it may have just been me, but I couldn't
help but think there were too many gay references surrounding
this character for there not to have been something there.
The biggest flaw in the movie is the portrayal of the parents.
The hero's father is a jerk in the same mold as the coach and his
mother is a lush. Now, how does such a pair of losers produce
offspring that is as decent and honest as the hero? It does not
make logical sense. Honesty and decency is not created in a
vacuume.
