It’s rife with sports-movie clichés and conspicuously light on novelty, yet “Coach Carter” still succeeds thanks to an inspirational story, some highly realistic and exciting basketball action, and a winning performance from Samuel L. Jackson, whose larg-er-than-life screen presence is well suited to the film’s demonstrative titular character.
“Coach Carter” is based on the true story of Ken Carter, a Southern California high school basketball coach who in 1999 suspended his then-undefeated Richmond High squad for failing to live up to academic standards. Director Thomas Carter (no relation to the coach) follows the same formula employed to great effect in sports movies such as “Hoosiers” and “Remember the Titans” — stress the importance of dedication, teamwork and honor; throw in some nail-biting game sequences; and make sure you’ve got a strong leader who refuses to back down from adversity.
Jackson is up to the challenge of taking a group of inner-city castaways and turning them into winners both on and off the court. Carter’s underprivileged kids are up against the usual challenges: Drugs, violence, absentee parents and a society that is all too willing to write them off. His charges are ably portrayed by a group of talented young actors that includes Rick Gonzalez (“Laurel Canyon”), Robert Ri’chard (“In His Father’s Shoes”) and Rob Brown (who made his stellar film debut playing a basketball phenom in “Finding Forrester”). Grammy-winning singer Ashanti makes an impressive acting debut of her own as the pregnant girlfriend of one of Richmond’s star players. Produced by MTV Films in conjunction with Tollin/Robbins (“Varsity Blues,” “Radio”), “Coach Carter” has all the elements in place to appeal to its youthful target audience. But with a slam-dunk performance from a veteran like Jackson, and a narrative rooted in timeless themes about sportsmanship, this movie is certain to score points with audiences of all ages. (Rated PG-13 for violence, sexual content, language, teen partying and some drug material. Running time: 136 minutes)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 14, 2005. Read the original PDF.