"It's just a game Doc, but I love it."

Rating: 8/10 (13 February 2020)

Before putting one's entire faith in the movie as a true story, it would behoove to read the FAQ section for the picture here on IMDb. Even so, the way the film is put together makes for an inspirational tale of athletes setting aside their differences for the sake of teamwork and winning in a competitive environment. Virtually all the characters here are likeable enough, and I particularly enjoyed Louie Lastik (Ethan Suplee), one of the first to bridge the racial divide because his appearance made him an outsider even to the white players. Very surprising to see in the lineup was a young Ryan Gosling, who didn't really look like he should have been on the team based on his size, weight and talent, and who recognized as much in the critical final championship game by taking himself out in favor of a better player. Another poignant scene occurred when defensive leader and team captain Gerry Bertier (Ryan Hurst) had his friend Ray (Burgess Jenkins) cut because of an intentionally missed block to make a black player look bad. Together with head coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) and defensive coach Bill Yoast's (Will Patton) willingness to step down for the cause of integration and remain an anchor for the players in a divided community, the T.C. Williams High School Titans become the model of teamwork, dedication and strict discipline necessary to attain their desired championship. Look past the cliches, and you'll find an inspirational and entertaining sports story here that should meet with your approval.