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There is something about sports movies that seem to draw us in regardless of whether or not we care for sports in general. Films like Remember the Titans, and The Greatest Game Ever Played fire us up to overcome obstacles and ignorant people in order to reach our full potential, while Friday Night Lights and Miracle show us how heart and determination win out in the face of overwhelming odds, sometimes despite the score at the end. And they all do it while teaching a bit of our countries history and lesser-known heroes.

In Glory Road, we get a trace of all of these things. It’s a basketball movie that is about so much more than five guys putting a ball in a hoop. More importantly it reminds us of how idiotic the mindset of many were only 40 odd years ago. Illogic driven by fear and hatred, all because of the color of a persons skin? It is so hard for me to believe that our country was ever that blind, but even sadder that it still exists in some areas of life.  But Coach Don Haskins (Josh Lucas) changed the direction and even a few minds in sports during the 1966 NCAA national championship when he opted for the first all-black starting line-up. This was a time when many blacks never got the opportunity to play much less start. The rest as you can see in all sports, is history.

The movie stars Derek Luke who is no stranger to sports movies, playing Boobie Miles in the Peter Berg directed, Friday Night Lights. Luke joins Mehcad Brooks, and Al Shearer on the court as a team of young men trying to fight prejudices on and off the court while dealing with the culture shock of a dry, flat, El Paso, Texas. These guys do a fine job and their off camera basketball drills helped make the playing believable and stylish. Likewise, Lucas pulls off the part of coach Haskins enough to fool those of us not familiar with the legend, and maybe nails it perfect for all I know. Haskins had his own battles to fight. He had to do so while still trying to mold and encourage young men who had every right to give up on the system. Lucas conveys the bravado and fortitude that Haskins would have had to
possess in order to make the decisions he did.

There are parts of this film that may have been slightly changed or exaggerated from historical fact. By this I am not referring to the ignorance of our nation but to the plot and storyline of Haskins career. But that is part of movie making and from what I can tell from reading the account it stays true enough to be credible. Then as I mentioned this really isn't a movie about basketball or one coaches decision making. It is more about our society and the decisions we make; decisions which can either be driven by fear and hatred or a desire to see unity and camaraderie among the masses. I think this story at least makes you stop and think about your own mindset in this regard. At the same time it entertains as a movie should and offers you the chance to leave wiser than when you arrived. It is a must see
for all sports enthusiasts and even for those of us who are not sports minded in the least.

Glory Road is rated PG for racial issues including violence and epithets, and momentary language. At 106 minutes it seems short compared to many releases of late. Though probably not in the league of Titans I still give it 3.75 out of five pumpkins. Those are basketballs right? Clueless about sports, I’m Matt Mungle.

The Mungle (1/09/06)

Matt is a memeber of the North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and hosts the weekly syndicated Indie Rock Radio Show Spin 180. Plus with his wife Cindy they do a weekly radio feature, The Mungles on Movies. For additional reviews and interview clips visit the website www.mungleshow.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Listen to Matt's chat with Derek Luke, Josh Lucas and Mehcad Brooks here