“American Underdog” is a biography-based movie that reverberates with the highs and lows of professional football.

No, we’re not talking about being a fan of the National Football League Philadelphia Eagles.

“American Underdog” tells the story of Kurt Warner, quarterback for the NFL St. Louis Rams when the team won Super Bowl XXXIV (34) in 2000.

Sports Illustrated magazine famously published a cover story about Warner with the headline “Who Is This Guy?”

“American Underdog” tells you, in a fact-based film that is also a faith-based film.

Warner was a University of Northern Iowa football player when he fell in love with Brenda, a single mother of two children. One child was legally-blind and brain-damaged.

Warner admired Brenda’s pluck. He said to his soon-to-be wife, “I want what you have.”

What she had was faith. Soon, Warner did, too.

There were lean years. Warner and his wife lived in the basement of her mother’s home. Food stamps provided sustenance. Warner got by stocking shelves at a local supermarket.

After a bungled tryout for the Green Bay Packers, Warner had a successful stint as quarterback for the Iowa Barnstormers in the Arena Football League.

Warner made the St. Louis Rams as a backup quarterback, becoming the team’s starting quarterback after an injury took out Trent Green.

Warner, who holds a number of NFL records, is regarded as one of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history.

The Rams’ offense, led by Warner, was dubbed “The Greatest Show on Turf,” with three consecutive 500-point seasons, an NFL record.

Warner, who threw the most passing yards in a Super Bowl up to that point, was named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player and League MVP when the St. Louis Rams won Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000.

Warner, who retired from the NFL in 2010, was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

With the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams playing Feb. 13 in Super Bowl LVI (56) in SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif. “American Underdog” provides an insider’s perspective on the big game.

Professional football is not only tough out there on the artificial turf. It’s tough in the locker room, coach’s’ office and in the glare of the media.

Competing in the Super Bowl, much less winning it, is mind-boggling, especially considering Warner was a walk-on player for the St. Louis Rams.

“American Underdog” recounts Warner’s football career, his personal life, and the faith of he and his wife. The Warners are parents of seven children.

Zachary Levi (“Shazam!,” 2019; TV’s ”Chuck,” 2007-2012) is convincing as Kurt Warner on and off the field. He projects affable charm, sincerity and solidity, as well as moments of insecurity, inadequacy and doubt.

Anna Paquin (Oscar, supporting actress, “The Piano,” 1993; “X-Men,” 2000, 2003, 2006) exudes a range of emotions as Brenda. She gives the impression of a single mother of fortitude yet one resigned to her situation.

Hayden Zaller as Zach (Brenda’s son from her previous marriage), is riveting as a boy who is legally-blind.

Dennis Quaid has what amounts to a cameo as St. Louis Rams coach Dick Vermeil (1997-1999; coach, Philadelphia Eagles, 1976-1983; coach, Kansas City Chiefs, 2001-2005).

“America Underdog” is directed by Andrew Erwin and Jon Erwin (“I Still Believe,” 2020; “I Can Only Imagine,” 2018). The screenplay by David Aaron Cohen, Jon Gunn and Jon Erwin is based on the book, “All Things Possible,” by Kurt Warner and Michael Silver.

The inspirational film stays true to its source material and the story of Warner, who when his faith was tested, responded with more than a play-action pass.

“American Underdog” will be of chief interest to fans of Kurt Warner, NFL, sports-themed movies, and the head coach of the ultimate Super Bowl.

“American Underdog,”

MPAA Rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.) for some language and thematic element; Genre: Biography, Sports, Drama; Run time: 1 hour, 52 minutes. Distributed by Lionsgate.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

“American Underdog” end credits include information about Kurt Warner, his wife and Treasure House, a facility for persons with disabilities that they founded. The movie was filmed in Oklahoma, Georgia and Texas. “Love Changes Everything,” written by Tom Douglas and performed by Vince Gill and Mickey Guyton, is heard during closing credits. Guyton will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl LVI. Guyton wrote and sang “Black Like Me, a Grammy nominee, “Best Country Solo Performance,” in 2020.

At The Movies:

“American Underdog” was seen in the AMC Classic Allentown 16. Face masks are required.

Theatrical Movie Box Office,

Feb. 4-6: “Jackass Forever” opened at No. 1, with $23.5 million in 3,604 theaters, “Moonfall” opened at No. 2 with $10 million, in 3,446 theaters, combining to loosen “Spider-Man: No Way Home” from its No. 1 grip, dropping two places to No. 3, with $9.6 million, in 3,600 theaters, $748.9 million, eight weeks.

4. “Scream” dropped two places, $4.7 million, in 3,227 theaters, $68.9 million, four weeks. 5. “Sing 2” dropped two places, $4.1 million, in 3,266 theaters, $139.5 million, seven weeks. 6. “The King’s Man” dropped one place, $1.1 million, in 1,910 theaters, $35.8 million, seven weeks. 7. “Redeeming Love” dropped three places, $1 million, in 1,797 theaters, $8 million, three weeks. 8. “American Underdog” dropped one place, $800,000, in 1,470 theaters, $25 million, seven weeks. 9. “The 355” dropped three places, $700,000, in 1,710 theaters, $14.1 million, five weeks. 10. “The Wolf and the Lion,” opening, $675,027, in 800 theaters.

Box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Feb. 6 is subject to change.

Unreel,

Feb. 11:

“Death on the Nile,”

PG-13: Kenneth Branagh directs Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Russell Brand and himself in the Crime, Drama, Mystery. On vacation on the Nile, Hercule Poirot investigates a murder.

“Marry Me,”

PG-13: Kat Coiro directs Jennifer Lopez, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Owen Wilson and John Bradley in the Romantic Comedy. Two music superstars’ marriage is called off. And then a new prospect appears.

“What About Love,”

No MPAA Rating: Klaus Menzel directs Sharon Stone, Andy Garcia, Rosabell Laurenti Sellers and Marielle Jaffe in the Romantic Drama. Young adults teacher their parents the joy of love.

“Blacklight.”

PG-13: Mark Williams directs Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Taylor John Smith and Emmy Raver-Lampman in the Action Thriller. A government operative discovers a plot targeting United States citizens.

“The Amazing Maurice,”

No MPAA rating: Toby Genkel and Florian Westermann direct the voice talents of Hugh Laurie, Emilia Clarke, David Thewlis and Himesh Patel and the Animation in the Family film. Maurice, a streetwise cat, a flute-playing youth and lot of rats. What’s not to like?

“Catwoman: Hunted,”

PG-13: Shinsuke Terasawa directs the voice talents of Stephanie Beatriz, Lauren Cohan, Kelly Hu and Jonathan Banks and the Animation in the Action, Science-Fiction film. Catwoman tries to steal a priceless jewel. Villains, Interpol and Batwoman intervene.

“The Devil’s Light,”

PG-13: Daniel Stamm directs Virginia Madsen, Nicholas Ralph, Colin Salmon and Christian Navarro in the Horror Thriller. A nun performs an exorcism with links to her past.

“Those Who Walk Away,”

No MPAA rating: Robert Rippberger directs Booboo Stewart, Nils Allen Stewart, Scarlett Sperduto and Bryson JonSteele in the Horror film. A couple on a first date visits a haunted house.

Movie opening dates from Internet Movie Database as of Feb. 6 are subject to change.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes