Common Sense Note
Parents should know that the emotional intensity here is of the "who will win?" variety. The movie also deals with alcoholism, but features the redemption of two adult leads.
Families who watch this film may want to discuss other sports movies. What is appealing about them? Do you ever doubt the outcome? What kind of feelings do they stir up? How does this one compare and contrast to other sports films you've seen?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Randy White
Hoosiers is a stirring movie about teamwork, discipline, and second chances that features exciting basketball action and a meticulous re-creation of 1950s Indiana. Gene Hackman anchors the story as a dogged basketball coach in search of redemption. Much more than a sports flick, this is a great movie for families to watch and enjoy together.
This slice of Americana conforms to the rules of sports movies, but manages to transcend the genre. The barest of plots is fleshed out by an electric Gene Hackman, who is determined to put to rest past coaching demons. And the renewal of Dennis Hopper's character -- whose emotional wounds are more openly visible than Hackman's -- smartly doubles the redemption factor.
The writing is strong and wonderfully sly. One of the movie's best scenes shows the townsmen gathering at the barbershop to acquaint Coach Dale with how things are done in Hickory, Indiana: you need to be a God-fearing man, you must always set a fine example for the boys, and, more importantly, you mustn't mess with the traditional zone defense.
To its credit, the movie gets the details right, starting with the passion that high school basketball elicits. Even the compulsory practice scenes are played with a fervor and realism that is compelling, unlike so many sports movies where practices are included for comic relief. And at the time, a small school like Hickory could play in the same league as the big schools; that David vs. Goliath aspect gives the movie an extra punch.
The movie occasionally succumbs to sports-movie clichés such as "aren't you the kind who'd rather look for a fight than run away from one?" and there's an obligatory love subplot. Another quibble is that it's sometimes hard to tell the healthy, corn-bred players apart.
Breaking Away is set in a similar environment, while the excellent documentary Hoop Dreams explores basketball and the dreams of inner-city youths.
Related Videos: Breaking Away, Hoop Dreams, Chariots of Fire, The Sandlot, Big Green, A League of Their Own, He Got Game, Miracle, Friday Night Lights and Coach Carter.
Rate It!
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ViolenceSeveral sports melees, including a bench-clearing brawl at the sectional championship game. |
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LanguageOccasional mild profanity. |
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Social BehaviorSince (men's) basketball is the only game in town, Indiana girls don't have much to do except cheer or complain. And it's hard to tell the healthy, corn-bred players apart. |
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