A moving film about football, prejudices, and change.

Rating: 9/10 (24 February 2015)

Synopsis:
Based on a true story, Remember the Titans follows the newly integrated TC Williams High School football team through their difficult yet prideful experiences in the early 1970s. This action creates extreme outrage locally within the community. Situated in Alexandria, Virginia, racial tensions are already high and desegregation is a fresh idea during this time. Denzel Washington, playing Herman Boone, is assigned the head coaching position at the school. As the team heads off to a two-week camp, hate and disrespect towards the opposite race engulfs the players, making fights amongst them and sloppy plays on the football field a reoccurring issue. However, with the help of the white former head coach, Bill Yoast, and both of their assistant coaches, they are able to gradually put their own differences aside for the name of the game. Through a myriad of strenuous practices, and the even harder task of talking and getting to know one another, positive relationships amongst the players finally begin to develop, bringing the team together both on and off the field. Gerry Bertier, the white captain, and Julius Campnell, the colored captain, serve as a memorable example of true leadership and a blossoming and beautiful friendship. Upon the arrival back home, the town of Alexandria, and more specifically TC Williams High School, appear to be in even more turmoil over the integration. The football team's newfound chemistry and undefeated record eventually set an example for the community and constructively brings them together. No longer black versus white, but the beginning of a 'greyness' that will make history. This movie touches many in its accurate account of a not only upsetting, but also amazing time.
Review:
Heartrending. Superb. Eye opening. Brutal. Life changing: Remember the Titans never fails to fully amaze its viewers. The effects of this movie are not limited to a select group of people. Reaching from blacks to whites, males to females, children to adults, each and every witness to this film is enlightened and touched by it. Focusing on the football team of the freshly integrated TC Williams High School, this motion picture recounts accurate events of hate and racism, friendship and leadership, as well as success and progress within the local community of Alexandria, Virginia.
Racial tensions are at a frightening high in Virginia during the 1970s. When the government mandates that two schools of different races integrate into one high school, the already existing conflicts do the opposite of die down. Currently living in a time and place where discrimination is rarely an issue, it is arduous as a viewer to see the sheer odium that truly prevented people from living a hate-free, just life in this film. For example, the girlfriend of Gerry, one of the main characters and a white player on the team, refuses to shake the colored Julius' hand. A few of the players, Sunshine, a 'gay' Caucasian from California, along with two of his colored teammates, are kicked out of a bar solely because the owner refuses to serve black folks. A divided and unfair society is never a pretty one. The apparent prejudices and subsequent destruction of a community witnessed throughout this movie makes me fully aware and thankful that I live in a significantly changed time.
The importance of putting aside differences in color and personality traits is vital to a functioning society as well as a solid team. Although animosity fills the players, true leadership is first seem through the rising captains Julius and Gerry. They come together and realize the team cannot succeed if the white men do not have the black men's backs, and vice versa. The leadership and love for the game these two leaders exhibit critically improves the team dynamics. This cultivates into a strong brotherhood between these two boys especially off the field as well. This friendship is sure to melt the heart of any human. This kind of player and person is the most admirable of traits, one that will always be respected by all.
As the boys and coaches form a bond thicker than bone and stronger than steal, their football season remains undefeated. Seemingly the most difficult and impossible task at this time, joining together is thoroughly exemplified through the Titan's efforts on and off the field. Fans and opponents are stunned and some very angry about this. However, the remarkable victory rate seems to bring everyone in the community closer together and farther from their racial differences. Stemming from the TC Williams football team, the progress made between the people of Alexandria in regards to their dissimilarities, is sincerely inspiring and moving. Even just one team of players and coaches working to put prejudices behind them ignited the same goal locally, as well as sparking change in other areas and for the future.
Only the most powerful of movies can accurately outline historical events dealing with prejudices and malice, and watch these negatives degenerate into integrated love and respect, and lead to unforgettable accomplishments that start on a football field and lead into an entire community. Heartwarming, enlightening, and overall uplifting, Remember the Titans is a film that requires viewers to open their eyes to the unpleasant reality of prejudices, and teach life lessons that truly leave a mark on one's heart. It is not common to find a movie that truly changes you; that makes you want to be a better person and love and accept everyone. We will all be exposed to tough situations in life. However, this film shows the importance of looking over differences, being the bigger person, knowing your morals and stances on issues and stick to them, and believing that if you work hard enough, you can achieve any goal you make for yourself. Always remember this beautiful story. Remember the vital lessons taught in it. But of course, Remember the Titans.