The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Younger-driver victory; distrust of card throwers; racing films over racing; diverted star career
In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:20:52Read transcript
- An early hottest take argues the highly publicized relationship with Angelina Jolie diverted the career from additional substantial leading roles. — Bill Simmons
- That career critique is challenged by successful or interesting work including World War Z, The Big Short, Inglourious Basterds and Burn After Reading. — Van Lathan
- A hottest take argues the younger driver should win, both for the story and to let younger stars inherit leading roles. — Chris Ryan
- The counterargument says the film develops Sonny far more fully, making his victory more satisfying within the existing script; a reversed ending might still be more interesting. — Van Lathan
- Creed and Any Given Sunday are raised as examples of transferring sporting focus to younger leads. — Van Lathan
- An alternative ending makes Sonny a mentor on the radio after the crash; objections emphasize audience interest in the veteran and possible sequel directions.
- The hottest take distrusts people who throw playing cards recreationally, calling it obsessive and useless; Gambit is the lone exception. — Van Lathan
- Another hottest take prefers racing films to real racing. — Van Lathan