The most powerful and inspirational American Sports movies made.

Rating: 10/10 (15 February 2012)

I've always wished I could have caught this film on the big screen but I finally saw it on HBO one year after it's release. I have to say it this IS THE BEST SPORTS MOVIE EVER MADE!!! The story begins with a man whose fallen from grace as a high school basketball coach who we later learn had lost his job years before for getting physical with one of his players. Now his second chance will come into play in Hickory, Indiana he will have to coach a team of 6 kids and with unfriendly folk who just want to get rid of him before he even begins coaching the team. Gene Hackman is incredible as a distant, yet dedicated to what he is doing athletic coach. Barbara Hershey turns in a great performance as a villain in the first half and an unlikely love interest towards the second half of the film. That second part is probably the film's only flaw I thought it would've just been more believable the two become great friends until maybe the last scene. Don't be mistaken this is a feeble section of an amazing movie about redemption, the glory of high school sports some say -God. I haven't even mentioned the sub-plot involving the late great Dennis Hopper who should've gotten that Oscar for his nomination as an alcoholic father of one of boys on the team. This one would have ganered the Best Picture Oscar night that year had it not been for another small but powerful movie named "Platoon." There are probably 3 pivotal scenes that will break your heart and inspire you at the same time. Definitely in my top 10 of the 1980's!!!