Radio (2003)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Michael Tollin

Writer (WGA):

Mike Rich (written by)

Release Date:

24 October 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Sport

Tagline:

His courage made them champions.

Plot:

The story of a high school coach and the developmentally challenged man whom he took under his wing.

Plot Keywords:

Coach | Radio | High School | South Carolina | Mother Son Relationship

Awards:

3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Cuba Gooding Jr.	...	Radio
Ed Harris	...	Coach Jones
Alfre Woodard	...	Principal Daniels
S. Epatha Merkerson	...	Maggie
Brent Sexton	...	Honeycutt
Chris Mulkey	...	Frank
Sarah Drew	...	Mary Helen
Riley Smith	...	Johnny
Patrick Breen	...	Tucker
Debra Winger	...	Linda
Bill Roberson	...	Del
Kenneth H. Callender	...	Don
Michael Harding	...	Irv the Cop
Charles Garren	...	Clive
Rebecca Koon	...	Waitress

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild language and thematic elements.

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | Brazil:12 | Netherlands:AL | South Korea:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Canada:PG | Germany:o.Al. | Norway:7 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG (certificate #39542)

Filming Locations:

South Carolina, USA

Company:

Revolution Studios

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When the Coach and Radio were leaving the church, there is a 1979 Lincoln Town Car in the parking lot, even though the movie is set in 1976.

Quotes:

Linda: It's never a mistake to care for someone. That's *always* a good thing!

Movie Connections:

References "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960)

Soundtrack:

Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)

Excellent thought-provoking film done with super editorial work and world-class acting by Ed Harris & Cuba Gooding Jr.

The fact that the movie is based on a true story contributes to a better and, of course, more realistic experience and keeps the viewer focused on the basic theme of the movie. The story is filled with unexpected twists which keeps the viewer at all times from figuring the ending out. In one moment you think that something happens to Coach Jones or Radio. Well it does, but certainly not what you'd expect.

The film becomes at no point boring or too sentimental and the acting performances by Ed Harris & Cuba Gooding Jr. are some of their best in my opinion. The ending puts a long lasting smile on your face and makes you wonder if what you are doing is right. Well I guess that was what Michael Tollin & Mike Rich were trying to do. First-class movie.

Esbjørn Nordby Birch. Denmark.