Remember The Titans - Seven out of Ten stars

Rating: Null/10 (1 October 2000)

Never having been a football fan, I went into this movie with some trepidation. Within the first fifteen minutes, my worries were laid to rest. Though seemingly unabashedly manipulative, Remember The Titans was, nonetheless enjoyable, as well as inspirational. Yes, race relations and integration in the '60's and '70's does seem to be a pet Hollywood theme, but in this case, it wasn't too heavy handedly done. If I had to rate this movie, I would give it a seven out of ten; not great, but entertaining, and thoroughly engrossing.
Denzel Washington gives a commendable, totally believable and entertaining performance as coach Boone. Will Patton, in a departure from the type of role I'm used to seeing him in, actually made me like his Coach Yoast character. It was great seeing him play a good guy, for a change. But the one who absolutely stole the movie, in my opinion, was 11 year-old Hayden Panettiere, who played Cheryl Yoast, Coach Yoast's daughter. Her performance helped to breathe humanity, life and humor into the movie. Hayden's acting seemed so natural that I could actually believe her passions about the game, the team and her father were real. Her scene with Denzel Washington, where they watched post-game films in Coach Boone's home, was one of the best of the movie. Watch Hayden Panettiere; this girl is going places.

Editorial:
If I had to give a criticism about the movie at all, it would have to fall squarely on the shoulders of the Coach Boone character. Don't get me wrong, as I said, I liked Denzel Washington in this movie. I've seen him in (I think) every movie he's done, and I'll probably see every movie he'll do in the future. It would probably have been somewhat less effective had another actor taken the role, as it does seem as though the part of Coach Boone was written specifically for him. ...And that's the problem. Denzel Washington is slowly becoming, if not a caricature of himself, then definitely range-limited. More often than not, his characters have a Denzel Washingtonesque moral rectitude, and most exhibit an engaging condescension that gives the character a father like stature. For all I know, these are traits that may very well be desired in the Roles Mr. Washington tends to take. It would just be nice to see him spread his wings a little and play, dare I say it, a bad guy?