alan alda play real life sport illustrate writer george plimpton and who be once invite to join the detroit lion football team a an honorary member . rather wan and uncompelling drama curiously temper with fantasy . director alex march take an interesting tack on this material and shoot it in a quasi documentary fashion ( with macho commentary ) and yet give the tale a touch of capraesque whimsy while still and by bring out the cinematic flashiness in this set up and he turn the main narrative into a jumble . alda smug and uncharismatic performance be another handicap and though the support cast be fill with real life pro athlete ( and scintillate lauren hutton a alda girlfriend how that for a fantasy . ) . half from .