Paterno (2018)

I love this movie so much

A lot of fun.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Joe Paterno coached at Penn State from 1966-2011 and was considered one of the most successful football coaches of all time and was affectionately known as JoPa. That all changed when Jerry Sandusky, a former defensive coordinator under Paerno's watch was accused of sexually abusing boys while at Penn State. During an FBI investigation it is found Paterno had concealed the allegations and delayed in reporting them to the appropriate authorities. The public is shocked and his family is dumbfounded as the Sandusky scandal unfolds and Paterno only wants to focus "on the game." The film accurately depicts how unconscionable it is that a man of this standing and influence could have allowed allegations of child sex abuse to be given so little attention. I can remember growing up and watching the college bowl games with my Dad and how much we looked forward to it. After watching this film I'm not sure if I'll every quite feel the same about "the game" again.

Both are equally culpable. The attempt of Levinson to portray a pedophile enabler as a person deserving of sympathy is contemptible. The fact that the NCAA reinstated Paterno's wins is yet another example of the misplaced value this country places on sports. Nassar, Sandusky, Paterno, Roy Moore, Michael Jackson, the catholic church and all the rest of the pedophiles and pedophile enablers must be held accountable. This movie was a disgusting failure on all counts.

You get an all time great actor, Al Pacino to play long time coach Joe Paterno at the time the Jerry Sandusky molestation case broke, and what does HBO do? Nothing that measures up to their reputation. Pacino looks and sounds like Paterno, but then everything stops there. Pacino just goes around looking dazed and confused and gives no insight. There is really no insight given into the Paterno family, or the victims - not even the victim that is portrayed here, or the reporters cracking the case. The whole thing is just so superficial. There is nothing to take away from this other than universities often act like big corporations - asking "How can we protect ourselves here?" and firing anybody that answers that question, even someone lionized by the school for over 50 years. But in this cynical age that comes as no surprise. HBO, I've come to expect better from you.

Again "HBO" does it with a beautiful and informative life like original movie as this latest called "Paterno" is hard hitting and revealing and very informative as it sheds light and exposes the cover up at Penn State when sexual abuse allegations became national news.However despite a montage and clips of footage of news about Jerry Sandusky the film is a focus on Joe Paterno(in another brilliant turn from Al Pacino) and how he and his family handle the scandal. As after many years of sexual abuse allegations are revealed against former assistant coach Sandusky, it shows Joe as a surprised yet conflicted and hurt man.The picture raises the question of moral obligation and it's a clear showcase of institutional failure as Paterno should have reported what he had known and not been so tight lipped. As it's clear the legacy of college football's all time wins coach has been badly damaged due to scandal and cover up. Also notable is Riley Keough as Sara Ganim who was the award winning reporter who helped break the scandal national. Overall good revealing film that's provocative and revealing and truth finding.