Feel good movie and that's great

Rating: 9/10 (29 September 2000)

Critics (not reviewers, but critics) will label this movie "processed schmaltz" (Jack Mathews, New York Daily News). This is why people don't like movie reviewers. Sometimes -- even if these paid experts don't like it -- truly heartwarming things happen in the real world. Why can't it happen in the "reel" world, too? True teamwork, respect and genuine bonding happens in many areas of life. Small towns -- and large ones -- are brought together by their young people's sports endeavors. This is a wonderful movie. It was good to see Will Patton play a likable character. Denzel Washington was very believable as a tough coach, even though he was almost too understated at times. Hayden Panettiere was a little spitfire as the coach's daughter. The football players were also outstanding. Even the lighting reminded me of true high school sports -- it's dark on a lot of those fields. Excellent movie.