A young man wins the hearts of a small town.

Rating: 7/10 (29 April 2005)

The township of Anderson, South Carolina lives and breaths with their Hanna High School football team. Coach Harold Jones(Ed Harris)may just be the most respected man in town; his only fault is putting the pigskin players and team ahead of his wife(Debra Winger)and teenage daughter. Coach Jones finds compassion for a mentally challenged young man given the moniker "Radio"(Cuba Gooding Jr.). Of course not everyone is pleased with the attention shown the young man given chores to help the team. The school principal(Alfre Woodard)has issues with the situation and comes under fire of the school board as well as the school's biggest booster, Frank Clay(Chris Mulkey), the local banker, frustrated with the idea that "Radio" is a distraction for the team and his star athlete son(Riley Smith). Being the butt of cruel minded pranks and the death of his beloved mother(S. Epatha Merkerson)does not deter the good nature of the trusting young man. Attitudes lead to the resignation of the coach and "Radio" finally wins over the hearts of the town. The finale shows the real life James "Radio" Kennedy still cheering on the team 26 years later.
Gooding is as excellent as Harris is passionate in this heart warming drama held together with some pretty darn good football scenes. Winger almost goes by unnoticed. And Merkerson of TV's LAW & ORDER fame is solid in her role. Not to be overlooked is the superior soundtrack that features the likes of Stevie Wonder, the Doobie Brothers, the Spinners and Al Green. This is touching family fare.