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.
... View MoreYou 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.
... View MoreWhat a great filmed TV movie again by HBO and Al Pacino was phenomenal.
... View MoreIt's unfortunate that now a days movies get blasted for their message or perspective, regardless of how well they are made from a cinematic experience. I see this movie get blasted simply because of the way it painted Paterno, or its confusion of "good and bad guys". While everything is this movie was basically factual and based on actual reportings, it actually indicated Paterno much less than I thought it would. Levinson gives life to the personal workings of a darkness that none of could imagine. The brilliant cinematography, along with a stunning Pacino, somehow humanizes the turmoil and pain of someone worshipped as a god for 60+ years, suddenly facing indescribable demons that challenge everything he has ever stood for. If you really paid attention to the message, as well as any other work done on this particular scandal, you can understand that one not need separate the legacy of Joe from the moral character and human.
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