Pandering hurts good movie

Rating: 7/10 (1 November 2000)

A well-intentioned, well-acted, generally fine film, "Remember the Titans" is hurt by pandering and manipulation. The soundtrack is ludicrous (not the songs used; the effects and score): why does a serious, thought-provoking film have to give us ridiculous, ultra-loud car-crash sounds of bodies colliding on the football field? I thought I was watching "Any Given Sunday" for a minute! There is no need for this completely unrealistic sound. And the score is sentimental and manipulative in the extreme. We do not need a loud, swelling orchestra to tell us something should be sad. Also, a few too many songs are used, and the football action is not particularly well done. When "Remember the Titans" is not pandering and being obvious (mostly the first half of the movie) we are given a well-told, meaningful, involving story. The relationships among players and coaches are well done, and the acting is top-notch. It's a shame they tried to be so obvious elsewhere. 7 of 10.