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What: “Any Given Sunday”

As the title implies, the story line for Oliver Stone’s latest movie is a cliche. The main characters are a villainous female pro football team owner--in this case a daughter instead of a widow so there could be a part for Cameron Diaz--an over-the-hill coach (Al Pacino) trying for one last moment of glory, an over-the-hill quarterback (Dennis Quaid), a young quarterback (Jamie Foxx) who needs to learn the importance of being a team player, and an unscrupulous team doctor (James Woods).

The casting and some great cinematography make up for a weak story line and a predictable ending. But the problem, as usual with a Stone production, is everything is overdone.

Pacino is believable as Coach Tony D’Amato of the Miami Sharks, but at times this role needs to be understated, and Pacino has rarely understated a role.

The bone-crushing football footage is impressive. It’s as good, maybe better, than the real thing that NFL Films has been showing for years. But there is just too much of it.

The movie rambles, and you begin to wonder if it will ever end. And here’s a warning: Don’t leave when the credits start, the story is not over.

There are some pleasantly surprising performances. Lawrence Taylor shows he can act. However, in a particularly important scene in a steam room, he delivers a poignant speech to quarterback Willie Beaman (Foxx) but is hard to understand.

Jim Brown is excellent as defensive coordinator Montezuma Monroe. LL Cool J is impressive as self-centered running back “J Man” Julian Washington. Dick Butkus and Johnny Unitas add authenticity as coaches of teams the Sharks play. Charlton Heston makes a cameo as the commissioner of the fictional league. Stone plays the role of a play-by-play announcer, and does it quite well.

Overall, the movie is entertaining. But it could have been just as entertaining had it been edited into two hours instead of nearly three.