Coach Carter

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Ashanti, Rob Brown, Robert Ri'chard, Nana Gbewonyo, Antwon Tanner, Channing Tatum, Texas Battle
Directed by: Thomas Carter
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Sports, Drama
2005

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A tough, inner city high school has a losing basketball team full of players who are so wrapped up in ghetto life and selfishness that their futures are even bleaker than their game. All of that changes when a new basketball coach (Samuel L. Jackson) abruptly changes everything- requiring his players to play with class, improve their academics, and be winners. However, the players' culture may be more difficult to change that previously thought. And, it is always hard to change losers into winners.

Review:

Tim: I thought the new-coach-changes-everything storyline was tired and played out, but Coach Carter at least proves that there's always room for one more entry into this subgenre.

This film stubbornly proves to be very good. Jackson is surprisingly good in the role. He attacks it with energy and charisma and gives off the best of his badass persona. However, his real success comes from being believable that he really cares about the kids on the team. Sure, there are more than a few moments of bad acting, but his source material is so rich that you will hardly notice the weaker aspects.

I applaud this film for showing all sides to the average life of an inner city basketball player. Besides drama on the court, the players deal with academic problems, the choice between pregnancy and abortion, murder, parties, and even egos. All of these issues are addressed, the players tempted, and Coach Carter trying to steer them towards the right path.

The basketball sequences are all excellent. The weakest aspect of great basketball films like Hoosiers is that the on-court action doesn't look very impressive. Here, you have players that can easily drain a three, players who can dunk the ball, and when you watch the games, it looks like what you'd expect a well trained high school team to look like. Several sequences (usually involves multiple passes) are superbly choreographed and are amazing to watch.

This film represents the best the genre has to offer- a mix of sports heroism and life lessons thrown against a backdrop of adversity and the constant threat of failure. Coach Carter is an inspiring piece of filmmaking and a very enjoyable movie.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Hoosiers, Remember the Titans, Friday Night Lights