The Best of Times
A timid California banker turns a decades-old football blunder into an outrageous quest for redemption, friendship, and communal joy.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- nostalgic
- warm
- lazy sunday
- sports movie night
What critics said
Critics generally found the amiable performances and rousing emotional payoff appealing despite an uneven, constrained script.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jack Dundee's fixation on the 1972 football game turns a dropped pass into a lifelong desire for emotional closure.
Jack's plan expands from a private obsession into a town-wide effort to replay the football game.
Jack and Reno's bond is tested and renewed through football, wounded pride, and their shared history.
The rousing conclusion and all-American communal foolishness create the sappy, hopeful feeling noted by critics.
Films like The Best of Times, and why
The World's Fastest Indian
warm sports comedy centered on personal regret, friendship, and a community rallying around an improbable second chance
Local Hero
ensemble small town comedy blending wistful nostalgia, eccentric characters, and an uplifting communal event
Major League
American sports comedy driven by male friendship, competitive pride, and broad wish fulfillment
Breaking Away
nostalgic coming-of-age sports comedy with affectionate humor and emotional investment in a formative game
Movie Details
- Director
- Roger Spottiswoode
- Release Date
- 1986-01-31
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (138)
Cast
- Robin Williams
- Kurt Russell
- Pamela Reed
- Holly Palance
- Donald Moffat
- Margaret Whitton
- M. Emmet Walsh
- Donovan Scott
- R.G. Armstrong
- Dub Taylor
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Best of Times about?
- A timid California banker turns a decades-old football blunder into an outrageous quest for redemption, friendship, and communal joy.
- What is The Best of Times like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Best of Times as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Best of Times violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Best of Times.
- What did critics think of The Best of Times?
- Critics generally found the amiable performances and rousing emotional payoff appealing despite an uneven, constrained script.
- Which films are like The Best of Times?
- Films with a similar feel include The World's Fastest Indian, Local Hero, Major League, and Breaking Away.
- How long is The Best of Times?
- The Best of Times runs 104 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Best of Times?
- In United States, The Best of Times streams on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel.
