Style: Biographical Drama
Director: Mike Tollin
Starring: Ed Harris, Cuba Gooding Jr., Debra Winger, Alfre Woodard
Working Time: 109 minutes
Synopsis: In suburban South Carolina of the Nineteen Seventies, Harold Jones (Ed Harris) is a trainer and soccer coach on the T. L. Hanna Excessive College. He notices the mentally infirm James Robert “Radio” Kennedy (Cuba Gooding Jr.) hanging across the soccer workforce’s observe classes, barely in a position to communicate and prone to bullying. Harold takes Radio beneath his wing, welcoming him to observe classes and the college atmosphere. Radio’s social expertise enhance, however faculty Principal Daniels (Alfre Woodward) is uncertain about his prospects, and the neighborhood of soccer dad and mom fear that Harold is getting distracted.
What Works Properly: Impressed by precise occasions, it is a heartfelt and feel-good story of kindness, priorities, and embracing uncertainty of outcomes. The Mike Wealthy script is comfy not over-explaining every part, and respects a small-town tradition the place stoicism is a advantage and the neighborhood revolves round Friday night time soccer. Each Ed Harris and Cuba Gooding Jr. present affecting performances, well-supported by Debra Winger as Coach Jones’ affected person spouse Linda. A well-contained operating time preserves the story’s humility.
What Does Not Work As Properly: The sentimentality quotient is maintained at a excessive degree, and James Horner’s syrupy music rating by no means relents. Coach Jones shows a knack for all the time leaping to the best conclusion.
Key Quote:
Linda: It is by no means a mistake to care for somebody.
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