When I find that rare movie that appeals to the boomer generation I can’t peel off to the movie theatre fast enough. 80 For Brady starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field promised to be just what I was looking for – as well as the popcorn and diet fountain Coke. My husband even agreed to go with my girlfriend and me because it was about football.
Perhaps because I know so little about football other than it is a brutally violent game involving little more than run and fall down, over and over and over again, I didn’t know what to expect. With those four leading ladies, and inspired by a true story, how could it not guarantee an afternoon of fun and laughs?
The premise is the four “old” ladies are huge football fans and in particular, are huge fans of the gorgeous Tom Brady. So far, so good. When they cannot afford tickets to attend the Super Bowl they enter a contest for free tickets. Of course, they win (sort of) and proceed to lose those precious tickets at the pre-game tailgate party. High jinks ensue and they change the course of football history.
I must tell you upfront that I had to revise this review because I thought my first draft was too harsh. 80 For Brady is a light comedy with a stellar cast and some good laughs. The majority of people who see it love it. I did not.
This old boomer broad thought 80 For Brady was a total waste of time and talent. It was a stupid movie with weak, trite writing and ridiculously clichéd sight gags. There is practically nothing about the movie that I liked. Even the wigs were horrendous.
Kudos to Sally Field who was the best of the four leading ladies with her honest-to-goodness real-life hair and real-life face. Fonda, Tomlin, and Moreno’s closeups were all shot in soft focus to look like they were about thirty years old and it was just ridiculous.
None of the three ladies (including Tomlin, surprisingly) could move her upper lip because it had been so shot full of Botox and fillers. It was disturbing to watch. They are supposed to be women in their eighties—Fonda and Tomlin are in fact in their eighties; Moreno is in her nineties, and Field, the baby, is in her seventies for heaven’s sake!

If you have not seen the movie, you might really enjoy it. For those who have already seen it and thoroughly enjoyed it, congratulations. I did not. What did you think? My husband enjoyed it because it was about football; my girlfriend wasn’t crazy about it either. Even the popcorn was too salty.
The End.
[…] may not agree with my assessment of Book Club, The Next Chapter. After all, I also disliked 80 For Brady for many of the same reasons. Movie appreciation is highly subjective. Personally, I recommend […]
We liked it as it was as expected a light comedy certainly not following the true story but then again we are fans of all four and football.
I’m in the minority. George liked it though. Thanks, Paul.
Your description of the movie is just what I thought it would be, so had decided to pass on it – glad I saved my time & money. Thanks – I trust your comments.
The theatre was absolutely packed though; obviously, people had high expectations. I have a feeling my opinion is in the minority. Thanks, Carol.
Totally agree as you knew I would.
Glad I’m not alone. Thanks, Deb.
Save your money but let me know what you think when you see it. Thanks, Gail.
I guess I’ll wait to steam it after this review 👍
Save your money!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this movie.. I wonder why women cannot just be their age – (sigh).
Tried to like it but just couldn’t. Thanks.
You always surprise me Lynda! I was all prepared for a positive review when WHAM you let them have it! Haha! I totally agree with everything you said. I haven’t seen the movie but if I was more articulate myself, it’s exactly how I would portray football, Botox and aging. You go girl!
I like to surprise every once in a while. Thanks, Susan.