Disappointing feature debut based on a true story.
Merging Vets and Players was created in 2015 by NFL insider and analyst Jay Glazer and Army Green Beret Nate Boyer to address the similar challenges combat veterans and former pro athletes face when the uniform comes off. For navigating the transition back to civilian life, the nonprofit organization aims to help by offering fitness sessions and peer-to-peer support.
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY Based on the true story of the formation of Merging Vets & Players, MVP showcases the importance of personal development and mental health by showing vets and retired athletes that they are never alone. The story follows former NFL player Will Phillips as he struggles to define his new purpose after a forceful retirement from the league. At his lowest point, Phillips meets Zephyr , a homeless veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder .
One might be able to look past the pacing issues simply because this is an important story to tell. However, the script feels underbaked when it comes to showcasing the build-up to MVP’s establishment and how impactful it is for veterans. Early on, the script spends a great deal of time emphasizing PTSD and homelessness among veterans.
Those missed opportunities aside, MVP feels like a long advertisement for its namesake organization. At the end of the day, this element matters very little considering Boyer’s heart is in the right place. But what holds his feature debut back are some of the directorial choices that don’t offer much to the storytelling and end up hurting the feature altogether, including prolonged close-ups of himself and over-extended scenes long after confrontations.
In hindsight, MVP is the kind of film that could definitely work for audiences. What it lacks in technical achievement, it undoubtedly makes up with heart. Though Boyer doesn’t necessarily hit the ball out of the park with his debut due to some odd choices that negatively impact the story structure, it’s easy to see why he chose this as his first project. His natural talent for bringing in a heartwarming disposition would do well in a documentary format.
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