Review of Hoosiers (1986) by Phil D — 25 Apr 2009

It's Indiana, it's basketball, it's Chuck Taylors.

So I waivered on my "all time favorite" movie. Hate having to pick ONE, because, like music, it can depend on the mood. But when I looked back and looked at me, I could see a lot of elements I enjoyed, could relate to, and even memories of watching this movie.

This movie is Indiana basketball and has a great cast. Love the nostalgic setting and film work. While the actual games were sometimes hard to follow and jumped around, it did emphasize that the movie was not as much about the score of the game as the coach, his players and the town.

Having suffered through the Glory Road's film work, see roller coster/nostral hair close ups, hoosiers captures the action while also keying on a coach looking for redemption, to 'break the colts and build them back up' and winning it all.

Hard to top Hackman, through his rants, his coaching and I'm sure my AAU teams in the past will accuse me of plagerism for his one liners and techniques. (There are reports I would watch certain scenes before a game I coached, but those reports have no merit and I'd plead the fifth.).

Ok, my point. This movie has it all, character development, the big guy/outsider taking on and becoming part of the small town and the partnership and mentorship of a coach to his players and back. I remember seeing this movie at the old theater in Shawnee Mission, off 90th and Mission with my parents, over and over. I also know that this is a movie I look forward to sharing with Isaac as a true classic (maybe it will be in 3d somewhere or however they are watching them by then). There's no tatoos, slam dunks or Stephen A Smith/Stuart Scott hype. Just basketball and what makes a team and their journey.

When it's on, the To Do List usually gets set back about 2 hrs. And I get a little nostaligic for my drives to Huntington or Auburn IN for my AAU teams games or hearing my grandma talk of the Garrett Railroader games on Friday nights.