Paterno (2018)

Paterno Poster

After becoming the winningest coach in college football history, Joe Paterno is embroiled in Penn State's Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal, challenging his legacy and forcing him to face questions of institutional failure regarding the victims.

Introduction
"Paterno" is a biographical drama movie released in 2018, which discusses the final days of Joe Paterno's period as head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions football team. Directed by Barry Levinson and starring Al Pacino as Joe Paterno, the movie looks into the psychological and ethical intricacies surrounding the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

Plot Summary
The movie revolves around Joe Paterno, understood affectionately as "JoePa", throughout the turbulent period when his assistant coach Jerry Sandusky's criminal actions come to light. The story unfolds over 2 weeks following the arrest of Sandusky in November 2011, focusing carefully on Paterno's response to the circumstance and the subsequent backlash.

Paterno is represented as a renowned figure in the college football world, having actually achieved a record variety of wins and supported a credibility for his dedication to his players' scholastic success. However, the revelation of Sandusky's heinous criminal offenses, devoted over several decades, casts a shadow over all Paterno's achievements.

As the scandal breaks, the movie reveals Paterno's battle to comprehend the intensity of the situation, his obligations beyond the football field, and the accusations that he did not take adequate action years before when notified of a 2001 incident including Sandusky. The media and public opinion quickly turn versus him, and Paterno faces intense scrutiny for what numerous see as putting the reputation of his football program above the wellness of Sandusky's victims.

The Fallout of the Scandal
The story captures the consequences of the scandal on various fronts - the victims and their families, the Penn State community, Paterno's household, and the tradition of the age-old coach himself. The movie portrays the Paterno household as they wrestle with the ramifications of the scandal, with some member of the family vehemently defending Joe, while others face the possibility of his failure to act.

Throughout the movie, there is an obvious tension in between Paterno's tradition in college football and the gravity of his assistant's crimes. Conversations and arguments amongst university staff, trainees, and the Paterno household depict the differing degrees of denial, loyalty, outrage, and confusion that gripped Penn State and the bigger college athletic neighborhood.

Paterno's Health concerns and Firing
The film does not just concentrate on the scandal; it likewise portrays Paterno's quickly decreasing health, adding another layer of catastrophe to the story. As Paterno is involved in the scandal, he is detected with lung cancer - a development that seems to make the media circus surrounding him appear a lot more relentless.

Paterno is ultimately fired by Penn State's Board of Trustees, a choice that ignites riots and demonstrations amongst students who view him as a scapegoat. The firing is depicted as a poignant minute in the movie, bringing an abrupt and ignominious end to Paterno's storied profession.

Reviews of the System and Final Reflections
"Paterno" critiques the system that permitted a coach's reputation and football success to overshadow the welfare of susceptible kids for so long. From university officials to the local neighborhood, the film concerns the more comprehensive cultural and institutional failings that contributed to the permeation and concealment of the abuse.

In the closing scenes, the film forces viewers to reflect on the intricacy of Paterno's character and the convoluted legacy he left. As Paterno's life and career conclude, the audience is left to ponder the challenging questions about accountability, ethical obligation, and the far-reaching effect one's actions, or inactiveness, can have.

Conclusion
"Paterno" offers a mournful meditation on the consequences of revered institutions prioritizing their track record over ethical integrity. Through its nuanced representation of Joe Paterno, the film shines a light on the unpleasant reality that even the most esteemed figures can be fatally flawed, and the consequences of their oversights can be irreparable and destructive.

Top Cast

  • Al Pacino (small)
    Al Pacino
    Joe Paterno
  • Riley Keough (small)
    Riley Keough
    Sara Ganim
  • Kathy Baker (small)
    Kathy Baker
    Sue Paterno
  • Annie Parisse (small)
    Annie Parisse
    Mary Kay Paterno
  • Peter Jacobson (small)
    Peter Jacobson
    David Newhouse
  • Steve Coulter (small)
    Steve Coulter
    Tim Curley
  • Darren Goldstein (small)
    Darren Goldstein
    Mike McQueary
  • John D'Leo (small)
    John D'Leo
    Daniel
  • Greg Grunberg (small)
    Greg Grunberg
    Scott Paterno
  • Ben Cook (small)
    Ben Cook
    Aaron Fisher
  • Kristen Bush
    Dawn Fisher