Something special

Rating: Null/10 (7 October 2000)

This film is truly something unique: the rare example of an ultra-manipulative, cliche-ridden Hollywood product that works on every level as a satisfying film experience that you actually won't hate yourself for liking. Indeed, I found many things to like about this film, from the performances (especially the criminally overlooked Will Patton, one of the great character actors of our time), the great use of period music, the pro-integration sentiment, the comraderie between the players, even the inevitable cliffhanger game climax. Of course, the entire film is held together by the incredible presence of Denzel Washington, who along with Morgan Freeman, has to rank as the finest film actor working today. In all, "Remember the Titans" is a winner and I would recommend it to anyone. Oh, and I cannot remember the last time I saw a movie with an African-American star that deals primarily with race relations in which there was not a single non-white person in the audience. And I think that says a lot about where we've come as a society. ***