How did I miss this one?

Rating: 7/10 (2 July 2006)

I must admit: I avoided this movie in the theatres, then I avoided renting or seeing this movie. A white boy who's seen enough "integration" films that his heart is really hardened to that sort of thing, and really I care little to see any more of this sort of film.
Let's be honest, after finishing Remember the Titans tonight -- I was a fool.
It's a movie about football, but, to me at least, it was very little about football, and very much about people. It's about one life touching another, and how hard it is to change people, and their outlooks on life, and especially their outlooks on other people, and MORE especially their outlooks on people different than themselves.
It would be simple to make a movie about a hardened group of white people who are "turned" into more understanding individuals, as if by magic. It would be simple to make each person tolerant, and to watch everyone around them fall like dominoes into this more tolerant attitude. We've all seen it a million times.. This movie doesn't do that.
As each person is transformed somewhat into a more enlightened person, they are pulled back by those around them. We see time and again the small respect that grows between the two "sides" is torn down. As one person makes strides, their family or loved ones pull them back into their racist ways. It's a struggle clearly defined, and beautifully played in Remember the Titans.
I am giving this movie an 8 out of 10. While I did find it striking, and nothing short of enlightening, there were enough of the Hollywood trappings and stereotypes to bring it down a bit for me. Still, there are few movies I have enjoyed more, and none I have enjoyed more that cover this tricky subject.