Coach Carter

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Coach Carter

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Thomas Carter
Produced by David Gale
Brian Robbins
Michael Tollin
Written by Mark Schwahn
John Gatins
Starring Samuel L. Jackson
Robert Ri'chard
Rob Brown
Debbi Morgan
Ashanti
Rick Gonzalez
Antwon Tanner
Octavia Spencer
Nana Gbewonyo
Channing Tatum
Music by Kenneth Burgomaster
DMX
Paul Linford
Trevor Rabin
Cinematography Sharone Meir
Editing by Peter Berger
Studio MTV Films
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date(s) January 14, 2005 (2005-01-14)
Running time 136 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $30 million
Box office $76,669,806[1]

Coach Carter is a 2005 American film directed by Thomas Carter. It is based on a true story, in which Richmond High School basketball coach Ken Carter made headlines in 1999 for benching his MVP and undefeated team due to poor academic results.

The screenplay was co-written by Mark Schwahn, who created the TV series One Tree Hill. The movie also recycles a handful of plot-lines from another TV series, The White Shadow, which director Thomas Carter co-starred in.

Contents

[edit] Plot

Ken Carter takes the job as coach of the Richmond Oilers basketball team at his old school Richmond High School, having been on the team himself and earned unbeaten records. Taking over from Coach White, Carter learns the team members are rude and disrespectful. He gives the team individual contracts, instructing them to attend all of their classes and maintain a grade average of 2.3 (although the local average grade students are meant to maintain is 2.0). Carter also asks the school staff for progress reports on the players' attendance. However, three players including Timo Cruz refuse to follow the contract and quit the team. Nonetheless, Carter coaches the team well and allow them to win their first victory whilst playing properly. Carter's son Damien joins the team, after quitting the private school St. Francis to play for his father.

Teammate Kenyon Stone struggles to come to terms with his girlfriend Kyra being pregnant and eventually splits up with her, unsure if he could juggle basketball, aspiring for college and being a parent. Their relationship is explored over the course of the film. Cruz attempts to rejoin the basketball team after watching them at their last game, but Carter refuses to let him back in. Cruz has to do 1000 suicides and 2500 pushups to earn Carter's approval, aided by his teammates, eventually succeeding and is allowed back on the team. Carter continues to educate the teammates, teaching them respect for other players. The team eventually won a holiday season basketball tournament, and are invited to a suburb mansion by a fan to party. Carter finds out, crashing the party with the mansion's owners. The enraged Carter returns to his office and finds the progress reports reveal the teammates have been skipping classes.

Carter initiates a lockdown on the gym, forbidding the team from playing until they improve their grades, angering the locals and is verbally and physically abused by numerous people. Cruz quits the team again, hanging out with his drug-dealing cousin Remmy, only to witness his cousin get gunned down and die. Cruz goes to Carter in tears and is allowed back on the team. The school board eventually confronts Carter, who justifies his actions, explaining he wants to give his team the opportunity and option for further education so they do not resort to crime. The board, save Principal Garrison and the chairwoman, vote to end the lockout, much to Carter's regret.

Carter quits his job, but finds the team studying in the gym, unwilling to play basketball. Cruz reveals to Carter his deepest fear, which Carter asked for repeatedly in the film, is being unable to fulfill his true potential, by quoting Marianne Williamson. Eventually the team improve their grade and are allowed to play basketball again. Kenyon reunites with Kyra, learning she had an abortion. The team plays in the high school playoffs, learning their first opponent is St. Francis. The team ultimately loses, but is proud with what they have achieved. The ending reveals six of the players including Damien, Cruz and Kenyon all went to college.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Critical reception

The reviews for the film were generally positive, and as of May 1, 2011 it has a 65% fresh rating at rottentomatoes.com. Critics gave Jackson considerable praise for what they believed to be his strongest performance to date.

[edit] Box office

The movie debuted at #1 on the U.S. Box Office and has grossed over $67 million to date. However, the movie was not as big of a hit worldwide, managing to bring in only $9 million overseas, for a total of $76 million.

[edit] Soundtrack

Main article: Coach Carter (soundtrack)

The film features the song "Hope" by Twista and Faith Evans as the main song off the film's soundtrack. An extensive list of songs is featured on the soundtrack which differs from the soundtrack recording. The recording has five songs which were not featured in the film : About da game by Trey Songz; Balla by Mack 10 featuring Da Hood; Beauty queen by CzarNok; What Love Can Do by Letoya; and Wouldn't You Like to Ride, Kanye West; Malik Usef, Common.

[edit] Awards/nominations

  • Image Awards
    • Outstanding Motion Picture: (Nominated)
    • Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: Samuel L. Jackson (Winner)
    • Outstanding Director for a Motion Picture: Thomas Carter (Nominated)
    • Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Ashanti (Nominated)

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=coachcarter.htm

[edit] External links

Films directed by Thomas Carter
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