are converted into obstacles that test the mettle of the young warriors”. Taylor did praise the acting, particularly the performances of Black, Luke, and Thornton. Earl Ofari Hutchinson of the Los Angeles Times criticized the film for skirting the issue of race relations in Odessa, which Bissinger had gone in depth about in his book. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone awarded the film 3 stars but said it did not sufficiently get into the heads of the players like the book did. While the residents of Odessa held a negative reception of the book due to its account of race relations in the Texas city, they eagerly anticipated the release of the film. Accolades The film was recognized by American Film Institute in these lists: 2004: AFI's Top 10 Film of the Year 2008: AFI's 10 Top 10: Nominated Sports Film References External links Behind the scenes of Friday Night Lights. UIL State Champion Archives 2004 films 2000s sports drama films 2000s high school films American sports drama films High school football films 2000s English-language films Films based on non-fiction books Films set in 1988 Films set in Texas Films shot in Kansas Films shot in Texas Sports films based on actual events Odessa, Texas Films directed by Peter Berg Films produced by Brian Grazer Films with screenplays by Peter Berg Universal Pictures films Imagine Entertainment films Films adapted into television shows Biographical films about educators Biographical films about sportspeople Cultural depictions of players of American football 2004 drama films 2000s American films