Jones tackles feelings of vintage game
Running time: 105 minutes
No MPAA rating: (profanity)
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There's a gripping fascination that locks in when Tommy Lee Jones speaks on a movie screen. We've seen his powerful screen presence over and over in stunning performances. Most recently in "No Country for Old Men" and "In the Valley of Elah."
Jones, San Antonio's Academy Award winner-in residence, brings something we haven't seen to the screen in Kevin Rafferty's enthralling documentary titled "Harvard Beats Yale 29-29."
Jones brings himself.
I'm not sure how Rafferty got Jones to open up like this, but his verbiage about playing offensive tackle for Harvard in late November, 1968 against the favored Yale team is about as good as documentary monologues get.
On the down side, Jones is joined on screen by others recalling the game. All pale in comparison to the crisply eloquent Jones. Some are downright boring; talking heads that the filmmaker should have trimmed back a bit.
The subject matter couldn't be richer as discussion fodder, though. Yale and Harvard are undefeated for the first time since 1909 as they kick it off in Harvard Stadium.
Yale's quarterback, Brian Dowling, hasn't lost a game since the 7th grade. His halfback, Calvin Hill, will soon be headed to the Dallas Cowboys and future Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep is probably somewhere in the stands. She was dating the Yale fullback at the time.
Al Gore's roomie Jones and the rest of the Harvard teams hangs tough. The result is a college football game for the ages, and an often-fascinating look back by those involved. Rafferty ("The Atomic Cafe") does a fine job of injecting vintage game footage to heighten the tension.
Jones, speaking in his familiar matter-of-fact manner, sums up his inner-emotions perfectly when he talks about taking of his "hat" after the final whistle blows.
"Harvard Beats Yale 29-29" isn't for everyone, just those who enjoy reality cinema that truly mines the soul.
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