Americans Love a Winner!

Rating: 9/10 (3 November 1999)

As General George Patton so aptly put it in his pre-D-Day speech, "Americans love a winner." This is one of those films that ties everything together: a down-and-out aging coach (Hackman); a want-a-be basketball hero and drunk (Hopper); and the tentative, soon-to-be old maid (Hershey). Coupled with great location shooting, a rousing musical soundtrack, outstanding action sequences, and the tried and true "underdog" plot, Hoosiers gives the viewer that winning combination that we all so enjoy. This is a "must-see" for any basketball nut, not to mention anyone who just needs a good 114 minutes of pure enjoyment. Few people I know can resist the urge to buy this tape after viewing. I know I did!