CHEER! - (9 stars out of 10)

Rating: 9/10 (1 December 2019)

The stage curtains open ...
If you had to put a definition in the movie dictionary for "crowd pleaser", I'm sure that the movie "Hoosiers" would have to be in it somewhere. The description for this movie states that it is based on the true story of the 1954 Milan High School team. Actually, you would have to say that it is VERY loosely based on that team since they have nothing in common.
Our story starts with Norman Dale (Gene Hackman in one of his best roles) arriving to the small town of Hickory, Indiana as the new Coach for the High School boys basketball team. The welcome he gets is anything but warm and cordial, and his rough and strict ways behind the whistle doesn't gain him any friends either. Yet, he perseveres ... turning a bunch of no-name guys in a hole-in-the-ground town into winners, both academically and on the court. Before they know it, their dream of playing for the state championship becomes reality. But will Coach Dale and his hopeful players have a chance against the much more talented South Bend Bears?
This is a wonderful movie. It will make you want to stand up and cheer. It will invest you into the story, the characters and the team. I saw this one back in 1986 when it hit the theaters and it quickly became a personal favorite of mine. I honestly couldn't even tell you how many times I've seen it over the years, and I never get tired of it.
This comes at a very high recommend. The only reason it doesn't get a perfect 10 stars score is because, unfortunately as with other films from that time, it is dated. But, it is still relevant and should be required watching for film students. It captures what is best about movie making, what is best about acting, and what was so important for many youths who grew up in small towns - a chance to be somebody.