For those in need of an uplifting story in our dumbed-down times, Coach Carter is a slam dunk.
Coach Carter (2005)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:141
Fresh:90
Rotten:51
Average Rating:6/10
Consensus: Like a good point guard, Samuel L. Jackson is the clear leader on the floor in a film that critics say transcends its formula trappings to be inspirational. However, some have said the film is too preachy and too long.
Rated: 12A [See Full Rating] for violence, sexual content, language, teen partying and some drug material.
Runtime: 2 hrs 16 mins
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:25-02-2005
Synopsis: In the tradition of LEAN ON ME and DANGEROUS MINDS comes COACH CARTER, an inspirational drama starring Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson portrays real-life figure Ken Carter, who graduated from... In the tradition of LEAN ON ME and DANGEROUS MINDS comes COACH CARTER, an inspirational drama starring Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson portrays real-life figure Ken Carter, who graduated from California's Richmond High only to return there years later, in 1999, and take over as head coach of the boys' basketball team. Unfortunately, the troubled school he remembered as a teenager is an even more insufferable place in his adulthood. Determined to make a change in his players' lives, Carter makes each young man sign a contract that ensures he will maintain a 2.3 GPA, attend every class, and wear a jacket and tie on game day. Of course, the players reject the contract at first, but when they realize that they don't have any other choice, they give in. And when it appears that their tough-as-nails coach is actually turning them into winners on the court, they embrace their coach's philosophy even further. But when Coach Carter receives the incomprehensibly awful progress reports of his players, he does the unthinkable: he benches the entire team. Directed by Thomas Carter (SAVE THE LAST DANCE), COACH CARTER is a sensitive drama that features an impassioned performance by Jackson, as well as the impressive young cast (most notably Rob Brown, Rick Gonzalez, and Robert Ri'Chard). [More]
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Ri'chard, Rob Brown, Debbi Morgan
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Ri'chard, Rob Brown, Debbi Morgan, Ashanti, Antwon Tanner, Ramsey Gbelawoe
Director: Thomas Carter
Director: Thomas Carter
Screenwriter: Mark Schwahn, John Gatins
Producer: Brian Robbins, Mike Tollin, David Gale
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Reviews for Coach Carter
As he’s seen as the voice of righteousness, the film doesn’t permit Carter a personal storyline, much less growth.
The fake Disney-like sentimentality melts away into a movie of refreshing idealism, and occasional doses of sobering honesty.
...familiar in its feel-good delivery...a solid student-athlete melodrama that creeps up on you more convincingly than a three-point shot at the buzzer
He's the Good Coach; he knows these young men will lead good lives as long as he doesn't relent. Odd then, that the end doesn't seem like the result of a lot of hard work.
It's message might be delivered in the form of a sermon, but the message is such a good one, that errors can be forgiven.
Samuel L. Jackson's intense, dynamic presence lifts this film above the usual sports movie and makes it one to remember.
Writers Mark Schwahn and John Gatins have a teen-movie pedigree, and they've kludged the film's true-life material into a conventional three-act shape instead of reimagining it as cinematic.
The only unpredictable thing, really, about Coach Carter is how engaging it turns out to be.
a solid genre story, and Jackson makes all that much better by his mere presence.
Before you can say, "Gangsta's Paradise," Coach has motivated his team to focus on what's important -- winning.
Before you can say, "Gangsta's Paradise," Coach has motivated his team to focus on what's important -- winning.
...while Jackson has his moments on the hardwood pulpit, his even-tempered approach makes these couple of fiery moments that much more effective.
Not even Jackson's thundering dynamism lifts the drama from mediocrity.
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