Sep 17, 2008 11:29 AM
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If you are feeling down, and wanna get inspired, this is a movie that you should see. The story of how a basketball coach moulds the wayward youngsters from a school in one of America's toughest neighbourhoods into a winning combo, not just for the local basketball season, but for life!!! S
amuel L Jackson plays the role of his life as coach Ken Carter, a man who takes up the job of basketball coach for Richmond High, with an objective of giving the boys not just a winning basketball season, but a chance to succeed in life as well. He takes over a team which had won only 4 games in the previous season. The team reflects the basic mentality of the people of the locality.
They have given up in life, know that they are not going to do much, and hence never try seriously. The movie in fact starts with a scene where the team loses, and the boys get into a brawl in the locker room. Carter takes over the job of the coach, on the condition that he would be allowed to do the job on his terms. The Principal is only too happy to agree, as Carter features on the top scorers list for Richmond High, and had an acclaimed career in basketball. So our coach comes over.
His first task is to discipline the team, and to make them physically fit enough to last the season. He starts by saying that all of them, the coach and players, would address each other as Sir, cos every one of them deserved to be given respect. One of the players, Timo Cruz, has an altercation with him and walks out, but the rest stay. Coach says that whoever stays back will have to sign a contract, which says that they will get a minimum GPA of 2.3, will not miss classes, will sit in the front row of classes, and will wear jackets and ties to the games. Carter's own son, whom he had enrolled in a top private school, comes to Richmond cos he wants to be trained by his father. Carter agrees on the condition that he maintains a GPA of 3.7.
The rest of the movie is about how Carter forges the guys into a winning unit, and gives them direction in life. Other than the fact that the movie will really touch you inside, there are many things to be observed in this, which can be incorporated into life. Citing a few with examples. 1. There is a winner in everybody. Its just the confidence and self belief that we need to find. 2. A winning unit is attractive to all. (Cruz comes back to join the winning Oilers team, even if he had to do 1000 pushups and 2500 suicides). 3. Everyone can make it good in life. Just cos the precedents are bad, your future need not be bad too. 4. You got to respect all, even when you are winning. 5. Self discipline is of utmost importance to win in life. 6. Whenever you try to incorporate a change, you will face resistance and hardships.
The movie has many touching moments, like when Carter has to resign, he goes to the gym, only to find the whole team sitting there in benches and studying, or when Timo's cousin, the drug peddler gets shot, and he goes to Carter, the Oiler wins etc. Samuel Jackson delivers the most powerful performance I have ever seen, and Rick Gonzalez and the rest of the team play able foils. All in all, one hell of a movie to watch, when you feel down in the dumps, and even when you are not.
