Coach Carter (PG-13, 2005)

Coach Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson), a star athlete himself in an inner-city California high school, returns to coach the team. But he's not the typical coach. He insists that each player sign a contract that includes wearing jacket and tie on game days, attending and sitting in the front row of all classes, and maintaining a higher grade point average than the minimum required for participation in sports. Many of the team members are struggling with other pressures, from a pregnant girlfriend (played by pop star Ashanti) to the money and excitement of street crime. Some of the players drop out. But some stay in, and the team begins to win. When Carter discovers that most of the players were not living up to their contracts, he padlocks the gym, refusing to let them play until all of them were caught up with their schoolwork and made good on all of their promises. This draws the ire of school officials and parents alike.

Viewers love movies about underdog teams that come from behind because they (1) learn the importance of teamwork, (2) learn the importance of discipline and of respect for themselves and each other, (3) are galvanized by an inspiring leader, or, even better, (4) all of the above. COACH CARTER, based on a true story, takes it a step further. Carter shows his player that the biggest obstacle is their own fear of trying for more than they have. "Starting today, you will act like winners, play like winners, and, most of all, you will be winners." This seems simple and straightforward enough unless you are a sports fan. Or unless you are the kind of person who calls himself a "realist" and thinks these kids are not worth trying to save. Their principal falls into that category. She figures that they are not going to graduate anyway, so the best she can do is give them one great experience they can hold onto for the rest of their lives.

For Carter, this was not about a winning season. It was about a winning life. He wanted his team to qualify for college scholarships. And he wanted them to learn discipline, teamwork, and self-respect. Jackson is terrific, as always, and his talent to mesmerize an audience makes him a great choice to play a coach who can give hope to people who gave up a long time ago. Just the way he says, "Sir," insisting and inspiring his team to call him "Sir" as well, tells you everything about his character and his relationship to the players. The young cast members are more sure of themselves shooting hoops than they are showing emotion, but Jackson holds the screen so well that he gives them extra focus and presence.