Facing the Giants

PG

Released Sep 29, 2006

1h 51m

Drama

List

16%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

85%

Audience Score

50,000+ Ratings

Grant Taylor, a Christian high-school football coach (Alex Kendrick), gets some very bad news. Besides his and his wife's (Shannen Fields) infertility problems, he faces the attempt of local parents to force the school to replace him. His team, the Shiloh Eagles, has never had a winning season in the six years that he has coached the boys. Following a visitor's message, Grant tries to inspire his team to use faith to conquer fear and opposing teams.

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Critics Consensus

The tropes of both football and evangelical movies are gracelessly on parade in this banal, insipid drama.

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Josh Rosenblatt

Austin Chronicle

Its feel-good storyline, shopworn message, and bottomless sermonizing would have played better in Sunday school than on the big screen, which is -- let's face it -- Babylon's turf.

Rated: 1/5

Nov 25, 2006

Full Review

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

Fitfully entertaining… To reach a broader audience, though, the filmmakers will have to scrap their playbook and learn a whole new set of rules.

Rated: C+

Oct 27, 2006

Full Review

Joe Leydon

Variety

By preaching to the converted so heavy-handedly, the filmmakers fumble an opportunity to reach beyond their target demo of devout churchgoers.

Oct 2, 2006

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

While I wouldn't dare call it a perfect film, I would be so bold as to call it a film that ministers in the way that a Christian should minister.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 7, 2020

Full Review

Heather Boerner

Common Sense Media

Faith-based pigskin tale.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 18, 2010

Full Review

James Plath

Movie Metropolis

Kendrick needs to learn that didacticism isn't a film aesthetic.

Rated: 6/10

Sep 26, 2009

Full Review

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Jay D

This was a great movie. Critics are wrong in my opinion.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/17/24

Full Review

Rob B

I don’t mind a bad movie. I just mind a bad movie that hits you in the head with its main idea (God) wrapped around every bad sports trope and stereotype. Pass. And, of course, those kids will drop it for a turnover on downs.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/25/24

Full Review

Alissa R

Nope. Oh good grief, the religious cheese is thick with this one. Lazy character development with predictable outcomes. Team becomes successful, and the other teams nit as worthy, because God. Give me a break. The hard work ethic, the you can do more than you think you can bits are good, as are tge disabled dad's unconditional support if his son, but other than that... so much wrong with the premise and further implications. Bad knock off of better football movies

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/21/24

Full Review

Aidan M

This movie to some might not be good but the film incorporates faith, hardwork, and underdogs, resulting in a solid football movie based on Christian morals. I personally love the film and grew up watching it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/27/24

Full Review

Ethen A

Watched with my family. Quite possibly the worst sports movie of all time, but we laughed so hard I think everyone should see it. Mystery science theater needs to do this movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/16/24

Full Review

Noah B

Probably the best low budget movie you could ever watch. No they aren't professional actors but they did a great job! It's hard to believe that this movie was made for only $100k

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/24

Full Review

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Alex Kendrick

Director

Alex Kendrick

Grant Taylor

Shannen Fields

Brooke Taylor

Steve Williams

Larry Childers

Bailey Cave

David Childers

Jason McLeod

Brock Kelley

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Synopsis

Grant Taylor, a Christian high-school football coach (Alex Kendrick), gets some very bad news. Besides his and his wife's (Shannen Fields) infertility problems, he faces the attempt of local parents to force the school to replace him. His team, the Shiloh Eagles, has never had a winning season in the six years that he has coached the boys. Following a visitor's message, Grant tries to inspire his team to use faith to conquer fear and opposing teams.

Director: Alex Kendrick
Producer: Michael Catt, Terry Hemmings, Jim McBride
Screenwriter: Alex Kendrick, Stephen Kendrick
Distributor: Destination Films, Samuel Goldwyn Company
Production Co: Kendrick Brothers
Rating: PG (Some Thematic Elements)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 29, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $10.2M
Runtime: 1h 51m

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