Based on a true story, the film chronicles high school basketball coach Ken Carter’s attempts to put the student back into student athlete at his alma mater. Samuel L. Jackson (PULP FICTION) plays the controversial coach, who forfeited two games in an otherwise perfect season when his players’ grades were not up to the agreement they signed to play ball for him.
The central story is Carter’s pursuit to make men out of his team of boys. The film looks into the lives of several of the key players. Kenyon Stone (Rob Brown, FINDING FORRESTER) does not struggle with grades, but has to deal with the pregnancy of his girlfriend Kyra (Ashanti, BE COOL). Timo Cruz (Rick Gonzalez, BIKER BOYZ) is a tough kid, who is wrapped up in the drug dealing business of his cousin Renny (Vincent Laresca, THE AVIATOR). Junior Battle (Nana Gbewonyo, film debut) is struggling in school, but performs great on the court. Worm (Antwon Tanner, NEVER DIE ALONE) is the joker on the team and Jason Lyle (Channing Tatum, WAR OF THE WORLDS) is one of the few white guys in his school. We also get to see Carter’s intelligent son Damien (Robert Ri’chard, 2005’s HOUSE OF WAX).
The film is pretty much what you'd expect from an inspirational sports movie. What makes the film work really well is that it never pumps up the drama and let’s us naturally peek into the player’s lives and why they need basketball.
Jackson’s performance creates a solid foundation and core heart to the film. He always makes a film better just by being in it. However, the young actors who play the players all rise to the occasion. Gonzalez is a true talent and is a performer to watch out for. His work here is convincing, emotional and doesn’t have the typical “tough kid” tics that so often signify “acting.” Ri’chard pretty much plays a nerd, but does so naturally and never stoops to Urkel or other typical nerd clichés.
The film also stands for something good and important. Carter stressed academics as much as sports and his players responded. He made tough decisions that were not widely popular to make a point. There’s nothing all that new in the film, but the tried and true tale it does tell is well acted, well written and well worth your time for certain.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
