I'm loving this movie so far and am more than half way through it. Don't pay attention to the haters.If you have a heart you will love this movie. It may not be perfect, but the message is clear. It may not be The Blind Side-but it's a different family.I can't imagine what it must be like to go through what this family went through. I'm a nurse and really appreciate a lot of the scenes especially the ones in the beginning of the film. At least give this movie a chance and make up your own mind. Don't let these negative reviews make up your mind for you without judging for yourself. Believe me, I've seen MANY movies and MANY of them I haven't even been able to get through the first fifteen minutes. This is a good movie. It may not be an Oscar winner, but it is a good movie about a true story, a real family and a community.

I don't understand the negative reviews. Please watch this movie and see for yourself. I thought the actors did a fantastic job. I have never seen a father's love portrayed so beautifully as Aiden Quinn showed in this movie. Men do not often show such tenderness but he brought such an endearing character to life for me. Andie McDowell was the perfect choice to play the mother in this film. You could just tell how proud she was of her three sons and how hard she was holding on for the entire family. I fell in love with all three of the sons and felt the two surviving sons each brought a unique reaction to the tragic loss of their brother. Bring a box of tissues and let all of your teenage children watch this! We need to teach our children how one bad decision can alter the rest of our lives and the lives of others that we care about.

Oh, ye of little faith. This film had flaws as almost any film does but, there have been several criticisms about some less than stellar acting. It is true to some extent. Truth be known, several participants were the real people in the real world of the events that took place from the actual story. I am always amazed by the reviews that seem so opposite from agreement. This film dealt with the tragedy that sometimes befalls only some families and it shows that families can work thru their sorrows. I rate this film 7 stars because I know a similar tragedy and I pray that you never have to walk with this tragedy in your life. Quinn does an outstanding performance that conveyed the pain and suffering of a father as did the rest of the main cast. This is a heart wrenching story to watch but one with a valuable lesson to share.

This is an amateurish movie. This is a waste of a "based on a true story" movie. -Acting is halfway decent and is not helped by the poor dialogue. -The background music/song selection is incessantly annoying because it feels over the top and forced. -Scenes jump all over the place and lack cohesion. -Even the sports part is about as unexciting as you can get. I mean how can you screw that up?

Basically it's a bad movie and this is coming from a guy whose a sucker for this type of inspirational true story/sports genre.

So in closing, is this a half assed review? Yes it is, but you know what, I felt compelled to tell the other side after reading the only other review which is clearly biased.

Being a pastor, I was excited to see another faith-based movie. The movie was inspirational with great values supporting faith, dealing with the death of a loved one, and overcoming tremendous obstacles. However, I was surprised at the amount of alcohol that was promoted in the movie, especially when the mother was shown drinking shots with her friend. When she couldn't get her breath, I didn't know if it was stress or taking too big of a swig. There is a time or two when vulgar language is used in the movie. So, I would recommend this movie for Christian families, however I do not know that I would approve of watching this film in church. Do not let the eccentricities keep you from watching. Although this movie is not at the level of spiritual prowess that Fireproof and Facing the Giants are at, it is still a great movie overall.

It's Football Season again! And Fox Faith just released their film, The 5th Quarter to Blu-ray/DVD this week.

Storyline: When a close-knit family is nearly broken by tragedy, hope is restored by their eldest son who carries the weight of victory on his shoulders in THE 5TH QUARTER.

One of our KIDS FIRST! youth film critics reviewed it this week: "I just finished watching The Fifth Quarter and I enjoyed it. It's about a boy named Luke who dies in an auto accident because of drunk driving. The story is really about how the family copes with the loss of their 15 year old son and brother.

I really like the character John Abbate, Luke's older brother, played by Ryan Merriman. The acting is superb. He couldn't have done a better job.

I would say that this movie is for kids 13 and up. There is one little tiny extremely short scene showing some surgery that is disturbing, but there is also a lot of talking and emotion and crying, of course. Any kid younger than 13 would not appreciate that. However, older kids will appreciate the amazing acting.

By Sam Connan, Age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. Sam's review is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC90wSHTklg

"For the entire history of mankind everyone is born and everyone dies. You think we'd have learned to handle it, but we don't." After a car accident changes the lives of the Abbate family forever, older brother Jon (Merriman) has a tough time coping and want to give up playing football. After his teammate talks to him Jon decides to give it one more try. This is a true story about the tragedy of the Abbate family and the 2006 Wake Forest football team. More then a sports movie, this is more of a Christian themed film about dealing with loss. This was a good movie overall. While I enjoy a feel good type movie like this one, the big problem I had with this is that (like most Christian movies) everything seems to perfect and when the main character begins his quest there is not much that stops him. This movie is very heart-wrenching in parts, but the poor acting takes away from the emotion. Overall, this is a good movie, but the fact that everything works out a little too well and the bad acting makes this a little worse then I wanted it to be. I did like it though. I give it a B-.

Would I watch again? - I don't think I will *Also try - Facing The Giants & The Perfect Game

Years ago, there use to be a dramatic Christian TV show called 'Faith for today', having seen it makes me think that these kinds of new movies are a bit of a modern version of that genre, dramatic Christian programming while at the same time, I have to say, it is not 'overtly' Christian in it's message vs. in comparison say 'Facing the Giants' but only in that Wake Forest is a Christian University, the "Deacs", Demon Deacons. Also in one scene in the Abbate household, I believe one might see a cross on the wall but even that seems a bit unfocused in the background and then, there is a short part in the Church but no "Bible Thumping" by any means.

One should not be expecting a Hollywood production. You have to think outside the box. The movie has a message and in the end is moving and does recount that story well. The football action is fairly well done when it shows games. I give it 6 stars as being on the plus side of average. For a "football movie", I'd rate it as about 7 stars actually, interesting when you think of Wake Forest as I do as mainly a basketball power which they are vs. football. It may not be 'Brian's song' or 'The Knute Rockne story' but it might be slightly reminiscent of the feel of those movies and I would think of it as being more along the lines of 'We are Marshall.' It's definitely worth a try. Yeah and parts of it do make me a bit teary eyed. Also, from a sports angle, the parts with South African trainer Steve Uria are good, it makes me think of some of the real exercise parts of the movie 'Hoosiers.' Honestly, if you are into sports, the exercise portions may be something you want to try for yourself. Wake Forest is more famous for it's basketball teams, even at the football game, I saw some of the student supporters jumping up and down which is something I tend to see all the time watching basketball games of some Universities like, I've got to say it, Duke University. So, in the final analysis, I think there is quite a bit to this movie and it is worth watching.

This was an absolutely amazing film. If you're gonna watch it, go to Walmart and buy a box of tissue for each person who's going to watch it with you because you will spend 95% of the movie totally choked-up. Truly an inspiration. Not to take anything away from any of the other actors in the film but this has to be one of Aidan Quinn's greatest performances. The raw emotion was overpowering while remaining completely inspiring. If you like true stories of how powerful the human spirit can be when faced with adversity then you will love this movie. I honestly can't understand how the overall rating of this movie is only 4.7. This is the kind of movie that makes you want to be a better person in all areas of your life, I'm inspired to be a better father and husband. I have met people like these portrayed in the movie so it's easy for me to believe they exist. If you're macho, watch it anyway, just watch it alone - but WATCH IT!

I must say that when renting direct-to-DVD movies, I never do expect anything great (this is not to say that I've never been pleasantly surprised by one in the past). I always make sure to watch these sorts of movies with an open mind and lowered standards.

Sadly, I wish this movie could meet even my lowest of standards.

Firstly, the acting was terrible (at best). All actors seemed to have been hired straight out of some sort of cheaply made orange juice commercial. The overall stiffness and completely off emotional queues were the only things of this movie ever coming close to making me cry. However, the most blatant offender in this film was Aidan Quinn's pathetically over-acted performance.

Secondly, you cannot expect anything even remotely fresh out of this film. Nothing original; no artistic value: Classic "Going-through- turmoil-but-in-the-end-we'll-all-be-alright" Hollywood monotony. There is literally NOTHING special.

Thirdly, they slap the "Based on a True Story" sticker to boot. It's basically a way to make you WANT to sort of like the movie, but really it only made me hate it even more. How dare they defile whoever's story this was based off of with this steaming pile of garbage of a "movie".

Simply put: This was deplorable. A truly, truly horrendous movie.

I rented this out last night with high expectations. the story looked good and with the added element of sport,(American football). i thought great. this should be a good watch, how wrong was I. the movie began aimlessly with a bunch of actors stumbling from scene to scene while mumbling their lines from an awful script. the story was meant to be a very emotional one about loss and tragedy, but it was so badly done, that i found myself laughing at times where i should of been swelling up or getting tears in my eyes, i kept thinking wow, this is a true story, I hope the family this is based on haven't seen this, because if i was in their shoes, I would be really offended. everything was wrong, production, script,direction(there was none), acting, terrible, aidan quinn in particular must of gave his worst performance ever, crying and whaling his way through scenes. the movie picked up a little later on when they all finally eased on the crying., but overall a bad movie on a true story that deserved more than this. if you want to see a good movie based on a true story this year check out soul surfer.

Sorry but have to agree with many of the other posters on here. This movie had everything to be a great movie and started out really good, but lost something as it went on. I watched it based on the trailer and the fact that Aidan Quinn was in it (love him!) but I have to say I was a little disappointed in it. It seems like they had a great beginning and a decent ending but the middle lacked something. As far as the acting goes, you have to remember that these actors are trying to portray real life people as closely as they can and that may seem why the acting was a bit off. This is a very good movie for teens to watch so they can see the dangers of reckless driving and the importance of being responsible.

I had wanted to see this movie for a while, as I am a really big Aidan Quinn fan, so I was thrilled when I found a copy today! But my hopes were too high for the level of this movie. The story was solid, the acting was decent, but the script was obviously an afterthought to the football footage. The writers never really introduced the viewers to the Abbatte family (what was wrong with the daughter?), gave very little notice to the interactions and reactions of the family as a whole regarding their loss, and basically didn't give the actors much with which to present their characters or to move the story line. With such a good story and a high-caliber cast, this movie could have been a great one, but instead it pretty much just laid down with a whimper. Next time, guys, "FOCUS" on the story, not clips of football plays and cheerleaders. Really a sad treatment of a promising premise.

This true to life drama begins in 2006, when Luke Abbate(Stefan Guy)accepts a ride home from football practice and ends up the victim of his friend's reckless driving. The out of control vehicle spins off a narrow rode at 90 miles an hour. Devastated parents,(Aidan Quinn and Andie MacDowell)watch their son die of brain damage in the hospital...only four days before his sixteenth birthday. The Abatte's donate Luke's organs to five people. Big brother Jon(Ryan Merriman), a junior at Wake Forest, begins to honor his brother by holding up five fingers before the fourth quarter of each game. When the news spreads, opposing players and fans begin doing the same. Was this the inspiration that guided Wake Forest to win a school record 11 games and a trip to the Orange Bowl? It doesn't take long to realize this was not meant to be an award winner. Albeit poignant, sad and uplifting. Dialogue not enough to brag about. Musical score at times irritating. Acting is pedestrian and MacDowell, as usual, overacts. This a very good movie for church groups. Inspiration can be found in tragic loss.

Other players: Michael Harding, Jon Stafford, Andrea Powell, Anessa Ramsey and John Newberg.

first things first the older brother is a linebacker? smallest linebacker I've ever seen. awful acting. sad story? ya sure but my god is it cheesy. its a straight to DVD/ TV movie. don't waste your time. if you want your football fix go watch Friday night lights. even the story behind the name "the 5th quarter" made me laugh my ass off, because the deceased brothers number was number 5. filled with football stock footage that doesn't look legit at all. this could very well be one of the worst movies I have ever seen. you can honestly make a drinking game out of the cheesy cringe worthy lines but you would be plastered before you even got half way through the movie.

This is a pretty good Faith-based movie. From reading other reviews, some people don't understand that this movie is REALLY BASED ON A TRUE STORY. I'm reading that some people are turned off by Merriman's hair. Well that's because that's how the real player's hair was. I'm a Wake Forest fan and I watched a lot from that season. They did the best they could wit what they had. Scenes were filmed from campus and the stadium. They did have to do some cosmetics (terrible) to the stadium because it undergone changes since that season in 2006 (rename and video screen.) The acting isn't too bad, a bit too dramatic at times. Yes, some scenes weren't completely true, but that was the same for the Blindside too. I don't know if any of you noticed but many times they used actual footage from televised games. I didn't like how a lot of the time they showed the same footage of the crowd, even if they were at different stadiums, I could tell they use scenes from the same stadium. Good movie overall though. Worth watching a least once.

I could write a myriad of things that others have written about this movie. But to be honest, it would just waste your time. There are definitely a lot of Christian spiritual moments in this movie. What disappoints me, is with a 6mil budget, I was expecting some actual game recreation using the actors. Not a whole bunch of extremely low-resolution video clips of actual games from that year cut in between scenes with the actual actors. It's pretty put-offing. Just my two cents. The movie itself is done really well, and the acting is also performed at a top level (IMO), however, the use of these actual gameday clips seems forced and out of play from the rest of the movie, and it seems to remove me to the point I just can't get into it.

February 13, 2006, was a normal winter's day in a small suburb of Atlanta. Luke Abbate, a 15 year old High School Lacrosse star, accepts a ride home from a teammate. On the way the new driver decides to show off his driving skills by flying down the street at 90 MPH, when he loses control of the car. The car flies about 70 feet, injuring all the passengers and killing young Luke. It's a nightmare story that all families fear, when their kids start driving, the only difference about Luke's story is that it really happened. The 5th Quarter is a film dedicated to Luke's memory and tells the story of his family in the wake of such tragedy. As the film plays out, it starts to lean away from tragedy and toward triumph, the triumph of the 2006 Wake Forrest Championship Football team. There captain was John Abbate, Luke's brother. The team was supposed to finish dead last, but wound up having a miracle season. It is a story that was so well done, that it couldn't have been anything but a true story. I don't think any writer could have thought of a story like this. Ryan Merriman stars, once again in a sports drama, and of all his performances that I've seen, this had to be the strongest. Not only does he show tremendous athletic ability, but he takes the audience of a roller-coaster ride of emotion. Merriman was so good, that he even had a cold hearted cynic like myself, tearing up. Aidan Quinn and Andie McDowell play the matriarchs of the Abbate family, giving outstanding performances. They made the audience see and feel just what it was like for the Abbate family. Most films are meant to entertain, but the 5th Quarter does more than entertain, it tells a very important story and actually makes you feel something for the tragedies and hardships of other people. I was expecting to see a sports movies, instead I saw something that really made me think. Only the best the big screen has to offer can make you both think and feel for the characters.

Beautifully portrayed real grief and the humanness of this incredible family, from the high points to the lowest ones. Although I know Luke's story as well as anyone outside the Abbate family can, I was drawn into the movie by the raw emotional performances of the actors. For me, Andie became Maryanne, from her super human strengths I admire to her raw "Are you kidding me?" breakdown that made those of us who love her truly laugh out loud. Aidan's portrayal of Steven almost broke my heart. Aidan placed himself in Steven's shoes at the crash site and made those of us who are parents feel as helpless as he must have that awful night. Audiences are shown how God's grace is woven so beautifully in and through each moment of their lives, even when His presence is questioned by those hurt so deeply. I do wish we could have seen more of sweet Rachel and her lovely spiritedness!! Incredible movie, stayed true to the story of unending love, life born from tragedy and hope rising from loss. Incredibly well done. Definitely a must see-

This movie looked halfway decent from the trailer, and even though it appeared corny, we figured that being based on a true story, it would have redeeming qualities. Wrong! The acting in this film is so bad that Aidan Quinn and Andie MacDowell should be banned from ever receiving any future acting awards. The dialog is so terrible, it makes made-for-TV Lifetime movies look good. And the directing / editing just heightens the problems as camera angles accentuate the bad acting.

We were able to rent this movie for free due to a coupon from a national DVD rental company. But even at that price, I felt like I was cheated.

Think of the worst movie you have ever seen. This one was worse.

I love inspirational sport movies - who doesn't? But they have to be inspirational, meaning something that lifts because it moves us genuinely. I found the 5th Qtr to be probably the most paint by numbers film in this genre I've ever seen.

I appreciate the story, I get why it should have moved me, and in places it does - but it is so "now feel this" and "now you should feel sad, now feel glad" that I am no longer a viewer, I become simply a mannequin devoid of my own choices. Fox Faith made this, and it should therefore have excellent production values and some real thinking behind it. But it sorely lacks power, even in those scenes where it should.

It is clichéd, from a dull script, to a musak score that assaults the senses, to frankly, and amazingly, dull football scenes. It has great values, real heart, but slushes it all away, through telling us how to feel all the time.

A sad waste of a good idea -honestly, wanted to love this, but could barely watch it in places. Inspirational? Not for this reviewer, I'm afraid.

Terribly written and directed. Terrible musical interludes in nearly every sequence. Preachy commercials about organ donation and the perils of reckless driving. It's too bad because the film could have been really great. There's a great cast. Films can have a faith-based message without being so heavy-handed, without all the bible thumping and scripture quoting.

The idea of a good family coping with the senseless death of a teen-aged son is really a good idea--and one that already won the Oscar for best picture (Ordinary People directed by Robert Redford).

This movie may have a slight life on the Netflix circuit--but it looks like it will lose about $5 million dollars. I've had a better film on my teeth.

This is no Blind Side. I had higher hopes for this movie. It seems like a lot of the acting was forced. For the minor characters it felt like they were reading cue cards and talking woodenly. There were lots of missed opportunities to really make this a great movie. The accident was caused by reckless driving where the youngest son in the family is declared brain dead. The angst of a young child lost so soon and the journey of acceptance would have had the makings of this movie. An opportunity was missed in dealing with the culpability of the person who was responsible for the accident. I thought Merriman was a good actor in this part. I thought and so did my daughter that Aidan Quinn overdid the emotion in several scenes. Andie McDowell was SO underused. The dynamic between the husband and wife in dealing with their son's tragedy was never explored. Missed opportunities in this movie give it this low rating.

I saw this on my NetFlix it looked like an OK movie, but then i started watching it and, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone the story is a good one but the way it was put together just doesn't work. I like Ryan Merriman from his Disney movie days but in this movie I just cant get past him with the long hair and how it always looks dirty no matter what, just a bad choice in my opinion.

I had no idea going into this movie it was going to be a Faith driven movie, witch I have never been a big fan of but to each our own right? The off acting, music cues and editing of this movie just threw me off I made it 3/4 the way through the movie before i had to change it to something else because of it.

I tuned out this movie right about the moment it turned into a PSA for organ donation and bible thumping. I was willing to watch it even though it was about sports. I do not hate spiritual movies either. I had been under the impression it was about something different. I had to endure the movie as my husband watched the remaining hour and a half. Did not enjoy it. I did empathize with the dad though, but I love Aidan Quinn so I may have been biased there.

Oh one other thing I just did not get was the older son, where the heck was he? Seemed he had to fly in to get to his brother and fly back but then suddenly the family was at his every game after that and he could visit his sister when she called him? Ya, you could say if I had paid attention to the movie I would have gotten it. I did try to get back into it about then, but I fear it was too late and too odd.