A sports movie with heart...

Rating: Null/10 (6 February 2005)

From the previews this looked like a charming, funny and touching movie. I was not disappointed. Every role was perfectly cast and Rob Brown especially shines. The film didn't preach and wasn't over the top trying to ploy your emotions (Ehem- Remember the Titans) and simply was was it was; a fun movie with a good meaning.
This is a tale about a strong upstanding and hard working man who wants to coach a seemingly hopeless bunch of misguided teens to have a goal in life. And it works. Samuel L Jackson plays this role easily and his witty one liners have the same effect on the audience as they did on his players; they make us laugh and sort of respect the guy. It is a movie that shows you can do anything you want to do with hard work, discipline and respect (for others and yourself). It seems that a lot of teens today either don't know this or don't care. I don't think seeing this movie will change things for those teens, but perhaps they will listen to their own "Coach Carter" and make different life choices.
But Coach Carter doesn't go over the top to preach these morals. It doesn't try to shock you with what could happen if you don't do what coach tells you. It simply shows you a story where a group of kids did listen and how that works for them.
I would see this movie again. I will buy it when it comes out. And enjoy it over and over again for being exactly what it set out to be... a sports movie with heart.