Uplifting sports drama

Rating: 7/10 (31 March 2013)

Basketball is not a big sport in the UK and I find it slightly bemusing that college sport appears to have such a high profile in America. However my lack of understanding of college basketball and it's history did not impair my enjoyment of this film.
Josh Lucas (excellent as always) plays the college basketball coach who leads his team to unexpected success. The acting throughout the film is top class. The on court action is done extremely well and you do get a real taste of what an achievement it was.
The racial storyline is a well trodden one but I never got the sense that this was patronising and that the black players were saints with the white guys the caricature bad guys.
This is one of the better sports dramas I have seen with plenty of lump in the throat moments and a finish that is highly satisfying. Recommended.