Set in the real town of Nowata, Oklahoma. "Possums" tells the story of a hardware store owner (Mac Davis) who's hobby is calling the games of his old high school team on the radio. When the townfolk comes to the conclusion that the team should be disbanded because they haven't scored a point in 13 years, Davis decides to stay on the radio anyway and make up the games, having the Nowata Possums win the state championship. Unfortunately, the real state champs hear about this and challenge the Possums to an actual game. Can the real Possums overcome impossible odds? Will Mac Davis's son come back and help dear ol' dad with coaching the team? Can Mac Davis drink any more root beer without exploding? You'll just have to find out for yourself in this family-friendly film.

I'll admit I'm a bit biased because I live in Oklahoma and have been through Nowata a time or two. Also, I knew someone who was on the production staff and she even makes a cameo in a scene where a high school group is listening to Davis's radio call of the imaginary game. She's on the far left and her hair is so extremely combed-over that you can't see her face....needless to say she's a bit shy.

Anyhoo, "Possums" is an interesting 45 minute film stretched into an hour 'n a half. The sub-plots are very cliched (the distant son, the "big" game, etc.) and the film never convinces you that the Possums imaginary win as state champions has captivated the state of Oklahoma to the degree needed to make you believe that the real coach of the state championship team would drive hundreds of miles out of his way to make the challenge. It didn't help that I saw this film immediately after "Election", a far superior film that handled a similar situation much better.

I will give the film credit for avoiding a completely cliched ending, though. But ultimately "Possums" just doesn't have enough interesting things going on to fill up it's admittedly short running time. Funny thing is, I think this could be the basis for a decent tv sit-com.

Mac Davis is fine as the hardware store owner, but he lacks the overall acting skill needed to pull off a fairly complicated role. Jay Underwood is his distant son who comes back to help the team and also does an okay job. The Mayor (Andrew Prine) is appropriately stuffy, but still likable. The other notable of the cast is former Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer, who plays the head coach of the real state champs. As hard as he tries, he just couldn't deliver the long-winded monologue with any conviction. But hey, he looked great on the sidelines and his legendary status (at least in this state) is secure.

The guy who steals the picture is veteran character actor Dennis Burkley (who usually plays bikers), he spends all day sitting in front of the hardware store with his buddy spinning stories and helping Davis along, a really good performance.

"Possums" is a nice, but ultimately forgettable comedy that's fine for family viewing.

Tidbits:
- The real name of the Nowata football team is the Ironmen.

- Pretty much all the outdoor locations are real. Mac Davis's "hardware store" is located right across the street from the Nowata City council office.

- The back of the VHS version of "Possums" lists Mac Davis's main movie credit as "Dallas North Forty", instead of the actual title "North Dallas Forty". I felt a bit sorry for Mac Davis over this, even though I got a real kick out of it.

- This film won the Heartland Film Festival's "Crystal Heart Award"...whatever that is.

- This film is J. Max Burnett's only credit as writer & director so far. My understanding is that this was his "dream" film.

- The shy young lady I mentioned earlier said that Jay Underwood, in an apparent effort to impress a group of kids on the set, told them that he was the star of "The Boy Who Could Fly". The kids just kept staring at him, obviously having never seen the film and still not impressed.

Possums is a wonderful movie. I am 22 years old and I played college football at a division one level. I appreciate great football movies and I also appreciate movies that make you feel good. If you have family in town, or you have kids in the house and you want to have something that is great for people of all ages you need to buy Possums. I own a copy and I bought a copy for my parents. This is a movie that has comedy, romance, high school high jinks, and heart. I gave Possums 5 stars because it is truly a refreshing movie! I would recomend it to anyone who is looking for a great movie to add to their collection.

Everyone should see this one. It is a rarity. There is absolutely no cussing, no nudity, no sex, and no violence in this one. You know how it is these days when you can't take the kids to see anything anymore. Film is Hoosiers-ish type fare with Davis as disc jockey who brings small town of Nowata together. I won't spoil anything, but it involves football and the come-together spirit of a small Oklahoma town. Barry Switzer appears as the "other" coach.(not his first film either--he appeared in an episode of coach and played a color commentator in Any Given Sunday).

I really enjoyed the movie. The content was worthwhile. Possums is an example that you can make a good movie without violence and sexual content. I lived in Nowata during the filming and was glad to be an extra in the football stand. The content was wholesome and definately a family movie

If you are an Okie (my husband is) the movie will have it's charm. If you are truly (not truLLy, Thelma)a football fan you will rally around the spirit of the movie, but for those not familiar with the twang and sloooooow pace of the central states think again before buying this one. Borrrrring! (My husband may put me in the dog house for this).