Rated PG
Starring Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Donald Faison, Hayden Panettiere, Ryan Gosling, Wood Harris, Ryan Hurst, Kate Bosworth
Directed by Boaz Yakin
The Story:
The year is 1971 and a federal mandate declares that an all-white school and an all-black school be integrated. Coach Herman Boone (Washington) is brought in as the head coach ahead of Coach Bill Yoast (Patton) who must swallow his pride and coach the defense instead. They assemble a talented mixture of athletes of both color and prepare for their season. Before the year is over, this Virginia community is going to learn to overcome the obstacle of race as the Titans respond to the controversy in the only way that truly matters: they win.
Of course, this is based on a true story.
Add to that, this is produced by Walt Disney studios.
I would have to say that pound for pound, nobody does true stories better than Disney.
Naturally, Washington gives a great performance. When doesn't he?
Patton does as well. He's a seriously underrated character actor who never gives a bad performance, and usually elevates any film he's in just by being there.
That said, the movie is about the football players, and how they gel to become a team.
I won't single out any one as better than the other in their performance because like the men they portrayed, they do this as a team, and they shine.
I will give mention to young Hayden Panettiere though. Already an accomplished actress by the time she got this role, I would say this is the film that catapulted her on her way to stardom.
She is absolutely precious as Coach Yoast's daughter who lives and breathes the game, almost more so than her father does.
This is one of those great sports movies that is great, even for people who don't like sports.
Final Grade: A-
Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: This is one of those movies I've always meant to pick up and add to the library, but have yet to get around to doing so. Perhaps next year with the inevitable 15th anniversary re-release?
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