Review of Knute Rockne All American

I have always wanted to see this movie since there has been so much American hype about winning one for the Gipper. Now I can cross that off my bucket list. This movie has not held up well at all. Maybe in 1940 it was sentimental but now it comes across as maudlin and soapy. I had to listen to that Fighting Irish theme song from start to finish in just about every scene and I couldn't even finish the credits it was so grating. Pat O'Brian does a good job until he starts sounding like James Cagney for no apparent reason and since there have been so many jokes about that accent, it doesn't sound authentic at all and unintentionally humorous (Yeah, see, yeah). The wife had almost no role, neither did any other character including Reagan who only had about 3 scenes and was OK and then forgotten for the rest of the movie. There were so many other great movies that year and this one will forever be seen as average.