Remember the Titans

Rating: 5/10 (8 February 2009)

I knew the lead actor that it was based on a true story about American football, and I have to say, for a Walt Disney Pictures it doesn't have that schmaltzy feeling. Basically two schools in Alexandria Virginia integrate forming T.C. Williams High School, and the Caucasian Coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton) of the Titans, is being replaced by African American Coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) from North Carolina. Tensions are formed as he forms a team with both black and white players, creating tensions, but after much training, these are eased at camp in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. When they get back, they get to prove themselves on the pitch, and they prove both successful and accepted by the community. There is the point when they get to the biggest match of all, and a star player is paralysed, but this doesn't damage their spirits and their determination to win, which they do. Also starring Donald Faison as Petey Jones, Wood Harris as Julius Campbell, Ryan Hurst as Gerry Bertier, My Name Is Earl's Ethan Suplee as Louie Lastik, Nicole Ari Parker as Carol Boone, young Heroes actress Hayden Panettiere as Sheryl Yoast, Craig Kirkwood as Jerry 'Rev' Harris, Kip Pardue as Ronnie 'Sunshine' Bass, Superman Returns' Kate Bosworth as Emma Hoyt and The Notebook's Ryan Gosling as Alan Bosley. Washington always gives a good performance, and this in no exception, and Panettiere is cute, in a film with a good story about overcoming hostility and prejudice, and going to sporting glory. Worth watching!