From the Rough
Solid sports tale has positive messages, feel-good themes.
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From the Rough
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that From the Rough is based on the true story of Catana Starks, the first female coach of a men's college golf team. The movie offers a lot of inspirational and admirable characters, from students to administrators, who model academic, professional, and athletic excellence. One punch is thrown and there are a couple of shoving matches. "Knob," a British slang term for "penis," is used once. The film is full of positive role models of African-Americans in leadership roles on the field and in the board room. There also are plenty of positive sports-themed messages about working hard, staying focused, believing in yourself, and being a supportive, cohesive team.
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What's the Story?
Catana Starks (Taraji P. Henson) is coaching the women's swim team at Tennessee State University when the new athletic director (Henry Simmons) wants to start a men's golf program there. Coach Starks sees the opportunity to get back to the sport she loves best and lands the job as the new program's coach. On a shoestring budget and at first unable even to offer scholarships, Starks manages to assemble a group of international golfing misfits. With her job on the line, she'll have to mold them not only into a group of winners but also into a winning team.
Is It Any Good?
FROM THE ROUGH is a feel-good sports story about a lovable bunch of misfits and the coach who helps them triumph against the odds. There's a lot to admire about Coach Starks, and the movie's heart is in the right place with lots of positive role models, especially for African Americans, and lots of positive you-can-do-it messages. The cast is solid, and the characters are colorful and relatable, but no one really shines. The story's laid out in fairly broad strokes that lack subtlety; drama and suspense also are in short supply as it moves toward the inevitable conclusion. But kids should find it's an enjoyable and inspirational ride, even if you already know exactly where it ends up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about people's reactions to Coach Starks. Why was it hard for some people to believe she was the coach of the men's team?
Kendrick Paulsen, the athletic director, called Coach Starks smug and arrogant. Do you agree? How do you think he would have described a male coach who did the same things?
Which sports do you enjoy? Does this movie make golf seem more interesting to you? Do you think you'd like to try it?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 24, 2011
- On DVD or streaming: September 2, 2014
- Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Tom Felton, Michael Clarke Duncan
- Director: Pierre Bagley
- Studios: From the Rough Productions, Royal Street Productions, Gyre Entertainment
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models
- Run time: 97 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: Language and thematic elements
- Last updated: August 27, 2022
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