80 For Brady, starring Jane Fonda, Sally Field, Lily Tomlin and Rita Moreno, is a movie about a spunky group of gals all around 80 [Sally Field’s character is 75, thank you!] who have a common interest: football, specifically Tom Brady. They decide they want to go to the Super Bowl to see the New England Patriots play so they try to make this dream a reality by trying to win tickets. Unlike the women that this movie is loosely based upon, the 80 For Brady ladies do in fact end up at the Super Bowl.
80 For Brady Movie Review
I found it refreshing to see an older group of females bonding over a sport that is stereotypically a man’s game. I loved that the 70+ year olds were flirty with the younger men in the movie and that the females did all kinds of “young” things like enter spicy food and football throwing competitions. The ladies gambled and even dabbled in recreational drugs. These mature women did not feel compelled to fit into any ageist or sexist stereotypes and it really endeared them to me. Not a football fan myself, I couldn’t help but root for these women to not only get to the Super Bowl, but I even rooted for their golden boy Tom Brady not to let them down. And I found myself on the edge of my seat when I thought that he might.
All of the women did a superb job. My favorite parts of the movie are as follows…
- Sally Field’s character “negs” a younger guy at a party. She looks him up and down for several minutes before she can find any negative characteristic to comment on finally finds it – a snaggletooth! OH my gosh! The way she delivered that line killed me and I laughed for several minutes. [People, definitely don’t actually go out and “neg” someone. As Sally Field’s character also points out, it’s quite rude].
- After sampling some hallucinogenic gummies, Rita Moreno’s character thinks she finds an “Eyes Wide Shut Situation” at that same party. I won’t say anything else and spoil this moment for you. The surprise factor is most of the fun!
- Also Rita Moreno, in the Patriots’ locker room, decides to rub one of the players’ beards and professes, “I want to shave you.” To which he replies, “Yeah.” It’s mildly creepy, but in a super funny way, not a weird way.
Be sure to stay to hear the song “Gonna Be You” featured in the credits. The song features Belinda Carlisle, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan, Debbie Harry and, of course, Dolly Parton! And who doesn’t want another movie with the trio of Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton? So yeah, it’s not really a family friendly movie if you are thinking about small kids, but I would definitely take teens who are interested to see it. Teens need to see our older generation as not just “grandmas” anyway. Or, if you can, get a babysitter and go enjoy a night out with your partner, the girls, whoever. I think this is a funny movie and I am 46. I would have found it hilarious a few years ago, too, so I am recommending 80 For Brady for the 35+ crowd.
What Happened to the REAL 80 For Brady Women?
The real life 80 For Brady ladies [actually called “Over 80 for Brady”] is made up of ladies who grew closer after they were widowed and starting spending their game days together. Friends for over 70 years, their story became the script for a movie when their grandson pitched the idea and Tom Brady was interested. As of the writing of the People Magazine article that I linked above, the ladies have not yet met Tom Brady. Come on Brady, make it happen.
