I've read a lot of the sniffy critic reviews and I question whether they've actually invested the time to watch the film rather than merely judge it on is superficial premise. Beneath the 'sports jock returns home redemption story' beats a deeply dignified and affecting tale about the bonds that tie us together, those that we are born in to and those that we grow, and what it is to be man, a father and a son (regardless of blood ties). The result is a beautiful, gentle and moving film.