The 5th Quarter (2010)
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40% of critics liked it
(5 reviews) -
66% of users liked it
(937 ratings)
In February 2006, young Luke Abbate accepted a ride home from a fellow student following his high-school team practice. In a severe case of irresponsible and reckless teen-age driving, and over the objections of Luke and the other young passengers, the driver lost control of the car at nearly 90… More In February 2006, young Luke Abbate accepted a ride home from a fellow student following his high-school team practice. In a severe case of irresponsible and reckless teen-age driving, and over the objections of Luke and the other young passengers, the driver lost control of the car at nearly 90 miles-per-hour, spinning off a narrow road and landing in an embankment some seventy feet below. Luke suffered irreparable brain damage, and died in the hospital two days later - just four days before his sixteenth birthday. While in the hospital, the Abbate family made the difficult decision to permit the doctors to utilize Luke's organs in a nationwide organ transplant program. Five recipients were almost immediately identified, including a young mother who was suffering with serious heart disease. Sharing an uncommon blood type, Luke's heart was flown to the young woman's hospital location across the country, resulting in a successful heart transplant, and saving her life. Following his brother's death, Jon considered giving up his football career - but knew that doing so would not properly honor the younger brother who loved and idolized him. Upon his return to Wake Forest, Jon was given the approval of head coach Jim Grobe to change his number from his long-standing 40, to his brother's number 5. And, in so doing, dedicated the new season to the memory of his brother. The Abbate family founded The Luke Abbate 5th Quarter Foundation for the purposes of educating young people nationwide to the dangers and life-altering consequences of irresponsible driving. A tradition began to evolve during the following Wake Forest games. In paying homage to Luke, Jon would signal his family sitting in the stands (Section 5) by holding up his hand with all 5 fingers outstretched. He did this at the end of the third quarter. Gradually, the rest of his team started to do the same. Within a couple of games, players from both teams, the fans in the stands, and those watching the games on television, would begin the final quarter by raising their hands with all 5 fingers outstretched in honor of Luke's memory. The final quarter became known as Luke's Quarter, the 5th Quarter, and this humble signal crystallized the entire team. And, although having lost their starting quarterback, starting running back, and starting defensive end to injuries at the beginning of the season, Wake Forest went on to complete their most successful season in school history, winning 11 games against 2 losses. Coach Grobe was selected the ACC's Coach-Of-The-Year, and Jon performed brilliantly in the ACC Championship Game with fifteen solo tackles against powerhouse Georgia Tech. -- (c) Official Site
- Directed By
- Rick Bieber
- Genres
- Drama
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Mar 18, 2011 Limited
- Studio
- Rocky Mountain Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter
This real-life football story fumbles the ball at every decisive juncture.
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Robert Koehler, Variety
The film is poorly written and directed at the most basic levels.
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Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
It scores points for being that rare "faith based film" to show a little edge.
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Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru
A well-acted drama that finds just the right balance between entertaining the audience and provoking them emotionally as well as intellectually. It will make you stand up and cheer.
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Russ Breimeier, Christianity Today
The 5th Quarter confuses sympathy for empathy. This story deserves better than this amateurish production.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Ryan Merriman
as Jon Abbate
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Andie MacDowell
as Maryanne Abbate
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Aidan Quinn
as Steven Abbate
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Michael Harding
as Coach Grobe
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Josh Smith
as Justice
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Stacy Earl
as Joanmarie
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Jillian Batherson
as Haley
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Sammy Nagi Njuguna
as Gattis
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Stefan Guy
as Luke Abbate
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Matt McGrath
as Adam Abbate
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Steve Uria
as Himself
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Micah Andrews
as Himself
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Anessa Ramsey
as Lynn Garber
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Mandy Manis
as Rachel Abbate
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Jon Stafford
as Coach Billings
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Rick Meadows
as Coach Hines
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John Newberg
as Coach Hood
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Justin Smith
as Coach Lambert
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Mit Shah
as Himself
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Bob J. McCreary
as Himself
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Colin Womack
as Mitchell
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Earl Guill III
as Zach
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Patrick Stagner
as Henry
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William Yelton
as Brandon
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Sharrin Edwards
as Nurse Jean
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Capel Kane
as Allie
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Dave Blamy
as Stan Cotten
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Walter Bell
as Matt Brim
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Madison Clair Knott
as Crystal
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Kristen LaPrade
as Susie Simons
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R. Keith Harris
as Dr. Phillips
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Andrea Powell
as Bonnie
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Cheri Varnadoe
as Greeting Nurse
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Alison Lawrence
as Sarah Palmer
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Terry Nelson
as Himself
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Brian Bloye
as Himself
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Stan Cotten
as TV Sports Anchor
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Bradley Evans
as Joe Haynes
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Maureen Mountcastle
as Pam
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Ted Johnson
as Bob (Maryanne's Dad)
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Bonnie Johnson
as Joan (Maryanne's Mom)
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Kendrick Cross
as Fireman
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Patt Noday
as Announcer #1
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Tom Werme
as Sports Announcer #2
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Jason Drago
as Officer #1
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Heanon Tate
as Officer #2
