Coach Carter

Samuel L. Jackson's Coach Carter is an uncompromising military man.

Herald rating: * * *


Depending on your level of cynicism, Coach Carter could be seen either as a moralising sermon, or an uplifting and entertaining drama.

Based on the true-life story of controversial basketball coach Ken Carter, it is the story of a man on a crusade to give a disadvantaged group of young men a chance to fulfil their dreams.

A former student of California's rough Richmond High School, Carter returns in 1999 as head coach of the boys' basketball team. A successful sports shop owner, he is aware of the disadvantages the kids in his team face, and how, unless they commit to their academic studies as much as they commit to playing basketball, the education system will let them down.

Carter soon discovers not many in the community support his ideas. When he hands out a contract to each team member requiring them to reach an average grade, attend class and wear a jacket and tie on game day, not only do the students think he's mad, but their parents and teachers do as well.

But with no other option, the students sign the contracts and begin a demanding training schedule. Much to their delight they start winning, but when Carter becomes aware most of them haven't been attending class and do not have the required grade average, he benches the whole team.

Jackson doesn't ask you to like Coach Carter; he's a demanding, tough, military man. There is one way of doing things in his team, and that's Carter's way. Although his methods cause chaos within the community, the people who stick by him are the ones who matter the most to him.

No one should go into a MTV production without expecting cliched speeches about being all that you can be and following your dreams, but somehow these lectures are more palatable when delivered by the ever-so-cool Samuel L. Jackson.

Jackson is joined by a talented cast of young up-and-coming stars, but he gives this film the credibility it needs to make it stand out from other follow-your-dream dramas aimed at teens.

CAST: Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Ri'chard, Rick Gonzalez, Ashanti, Adrienne Bailon
DIRECTOR: Thomas Carter
RUNNING TIME: 136 Minutes
RATING: M
SCREENING: Village, Hoyts and Berkeley Cinemas