People are inspired by all sorts of things -- world events, stories of heroism, and even movies. Yet, for most, such inspiration comes from those directly involved in their lives. For many, it's a coach who got them to rethink their behavior and direction in life.
That's probably due to a combination of many factors including physical exertion, repetition and the obvious authority figure factor. Not surprisingly then, there have been plenty of movies featuring athletes who find such guidance and inspiration in their coaches and end up turning their lives around thanks to all that their mentors do for them.
And that's the very factor that bedevils the latest such cinematic tale, "Coach Carter." While repetition is what often generates greatness in athletes and/or students, it's not always a great thing in entertainment. Accordingly, while the movie studios love the formulaic pictures in general (since they're a proven commodity and are obviously easy to make since the blueprint is already drawn), viewers -- including yours truly -- tire of more of the same old, same old.
This big screen adaptation of a true tale -- that made national headlines when the titular subject put his basketball team in lockdown mode for failing to make the grade (figuratively and literally) -- is the latest in a line of movies featuring a coach trying to win both games as well as the minds and respect of their players.
Name most any high school or collegiate sport and I can probably list several films featuring that very subject matter. Accordingly, and despite its good intentions and "based on a true story" moniker that, to quote Shania Twain, "don't impress me much," the film can't help but feel like reheated leftovers. The names and specific details might be changed, but it's the same old story we've seen countless times before. As they say, close only counts in hand grenades and horseshoes and this movie doesn't even come close to feeling remotely original.
Novelty aside, the film -- from writers Mark Schwahn ("The Perfect Score") and John Gatins ("Summer Catch," "Hardball") and director Thomas Carter ("Save the Last Dance," "Metro") -- works as intended. The tough, "I've been there myself" coach tries to motivate a bunch of talented but lazy, undisciplined and/or disrespectful players to grow up, work as a team and succeed despite their personal and societal trappings. It's all pure formula and I'm sure there will be those viewers who fall for it hook, line and sinker.
If there's one thing the picture has going for it, it's the always reliable Samuel L. Jackson ("The Incredibles," "S.W.A.T.") in the lead role. While he's already played the high school authority figure who must deal with less than stellar students -- that being in "187" -- he's quite good here. He acts with such sincerity, devotion and intensity that you can't help but believe in him and his cause.
Those embodying his charges aren't as successful, but that's mainly because most are painted with only broad strokes or just a thin layer of substance. Some -- including Rick Gonzalez ("The Rookie," "Biker Boyz") as a teen torn between drug dealing and playing ball, as well as Rob Brown ("Finding Forrester") as the player who must choose between a new family and a college career -- do get meatier parts.
Yet, as is the case with singer-turned-actress Ashanti (making her feature debut) playing the pregnant girlfriend, they've been doused with so many stereotypes and clichés that they never feel fresh. Robert Ri'chard ("Light it Up," TV's "One on One") is a bit better playing the son who so desperately wants to play for his coaching dad that he transfers from a good school to a bad one. While that also lacks novelty, at least there's some depth there.
Unfortunately, it's never developed enough to make it stand out as much as it should. And that's despite a huge surplus of time in this overly long and drawn out movie (that runs well past two hours). It easily could have been shortened by thirty or forty minutes without losing a beat or basket.
If you've never seen a film where the coach overcomes the odds and obstacles to inspire his or her kids to succeed both on and off whatever the playing surface may be, you might think this is great and obviously inspirational stuff. For everyone else, it will likely feel like some oft-repeated parental speech. You know it's well-intentioned, but you've heard it so many times before that the impact is lessened. "Coach Carter," while decent, comes off just that way.
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