I might be coach, but I always travel first class

Rating: Null/10 (25 April 2014)

A well meaning but formulaic film, James Gartner's "Glory Road" stars Josh Lucas as Don Haskins, head coach of Texas Western College. Based on a true story, and set in the late 1960s, the film details the formation of the NCAA's first all black starting lineup.
At its best, "Glory Road" explores issues of racism, discrimination and social isolation. At its worst, this is a reductive, by-the-numbers film whose climax assigns false triumph to ongoing issues. There's also something tawdry about a co-production between Jerry Bruckheimer and Walt Disney Pictures attempting to promote black consciousness and black pride.
Still, "Glory Road" sheds some light on an interesting part of history. It climaxes with a 1966 championship game, a game which would mark a key point in racial integration, and instigate a shift from basketball being labelled a white sport to it becoming a primarily black activity (in terms of race association and participation). "Glory Road" co-stars Jon Voight as a weaselly rival coach.
7/10 – See "Inside Moves" and "He Got Game".