HBO recently released the movie "Paterno," a 105-minute depiction of what it is that "really" happened during the time of the Sandusky conviction in 2012 – from the view of Penn State legendary football coach, Joe Paterno, commonly known as Joe Pa.
I was drawn to view the movie because I was intrigued to see how things unfolded, but was simultaneously nervous to see how the public would react to the representation and portrayal of events.
Being a current student at Penn State, it is clear I did not have personal ties to Penn State when this tragedy actually took place. Therefore, my prior opinion on the event, as etched into my mind by the current Penn State culture, was that it was indeed a horrible tragedy and I pray for the victims, but long live Joe Pa.
What this movie showed me was that Joe Pa did allegedly all he needed to do as a coach and told his superiors. Besides that aspect, the beloved football hero, Joe Pa played by Al Pacino, was depicted as a clueless, bumbling fool, and yet still remained the Penn State community's hero in this time of crisis.
In acts so gruesome, leaving Jerry Sandusky found guilty on 45 charges related to sexual misconduct, and leaving numerous victims feeling lost and hopeless— was there truly a hero?
On the field yes, Joe Paterno was seen as a hero, not losing his coaching passion for Penn State until the day he died. When it comes to the Sandusky scandal, contrary to popular belief— no. Joe Pa was not a hero.
The movie "Paterno" showed students and fans rallied on campus and outside Joe Pa’s personal home, chanting his name and begging to, “Free Joe Pa!” from his termination as head football coach.
It troubles me to think that the community rallied around the head football coach, instead of the victims at hand, and it even further perplexes me to wonder where I would have stood if this had occurred while I was a student.
After viewing this movie, my first thought was that it was well done. I enjoyed how real game footage of the crowds were used, and I thought the casting was impeccable – Al Pacino nailed it. I was emotionally moved by the unveiling of events and could not bear to be in the position of those personally affected.
I believed everything I saw on the screen. I did not know any better as to what exactly happened and consequently fell under the assumption that everything I was seeing was accurate.
Then, under further thought, I realized I could not be alone in the fact that I did not know what truly happened. I pondered the thought of, “Joe Pa is dead, how on earth is the director and producer supposed to know what happened from Joe Pa’s perspective either?”
The truth is, director Barry Levinson, did not know.
The quality of the movie on the surface may have been very good, but the content faltered and family members of the Paterno family were not shy about speaking out on the matter.
"The HBO movie regarding Joe Paterno is a fictionalized portrayal of the tragic events surrounding Jerry Sandusky's crimes,” son, Scott Paterno said. “Numerous scenes, events and dialogue bear no resemblance to what actually transpired.”
After scrutinizing as much background information as I could on the matter, I was left baffled at some of the portrayals of events throughout this movie.
As a current Nittany Lion, I continue to represent what I have experienced from my school proudly and always will. I also respect Joe Pa’s success as a coach. As a moral human being, I do not and will not condone the thought of Joe Pa being a victim or a hero in any regards to the Sandusky scandal, and I never will.
I believe this movie was filled with too much fluff and fabrication and ultimately was a waste of time and money only produced to spark a fire of hatred under Penn State once again.
The movie, if absolutely necessary to produce, should have been, in my opinion, more so on an educational platform about Sandusky and the victims, aka the actual people involved in this tragedy, and less about Joe Pa’s "fall from reign."
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In situations like these, as a bystander, it is not enough to mention it to one person and look the other way. If you see something, say something, and then continue to say something until that something is completely dealt with.
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
