Gene Hackman in "Hoosiers." Photo: http://www.overthinkingit.com/2008/02/04/henry-rowentgardner-vs-lou-gehrig/
It seems fitting that "Hoosiers" came in number two on the list of the greatest sports movies of all time after "Rocky." After all, movie audiences love an underdog, and you'd be hard-pressed to find two more enjoyable underdog sports movies. The story in a nutshell, is about the Hickory Huskers, a small school in Indiana, and their run to glory under coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) and their obstacles on the way to making history for sports teams from small towns. Sounds predictable and boring right? But it's not. While predictable, the story is really involving because the characters are so well realized.
At the center is Hackman, as a coach with a checkered past. He hasn't coached in 12 years and back then he was coaching at the college level. Now he is coaching at a small high school in Indiana. Even before meeting the team he is met with obstacles: a skeptical teacher played by Barbra Hershey and the townspeople. The town lives and breathes basketball. Winning players are treated like gods. The fans are obsessive, but not to the lengths of say the fans in "Friday Night Lights." Myra Fleener (Hershey) tells coach Dale that she wants him to stay away from the best player because she wants kids at the school to look beyond basketball and the small town in which they live. Dale does, but then, eventually, that player decides he wants to play because he believes Coach Dale deserves a chance. In fact, he says he won't play unless Dale coaches. This sets in motion Hickory's run to the state championship.
There is also a great subplot involving Dale and Shooter, the town drunk (played by Dennis Hopper). Shooter's knowledge of basketball, especially about the Huskers, is encyclopedic. His son also plays for the team and he used to be a player himself. But he has become an alcoholic. Dale decides to give him a chance and make him an assistant coach. The ups and downs of Shooter create great human drama and Hopper is amazing in one of the best performances of his career.
Many movies have tried to be "Hoosiers." Not surprisingly, most fail. From the style of film editing, to the music, to the Cinderella plot, "Hoosiers" has been ripped off, but never duplicated. While the story is predictable the characters are continuously engaging and it doesn't hurt that the plot is based on a true story. When Hackman's greatest performances are listed, "Hoosiers" rarely comes up. This is probably because it's not flashy and edgy. What Hackman does here is more subtle and moving. Great performances and an inspiring story makes "Hoosiers" a winner.
At the center is Hackman, as a coach with a checkered past. He hasn't coached in 12 years and back then he was coaching at the college level. Now he is coaching at a small high school in Indiana. Even before meeting the team he is met with obstacles: a skeptical teacher played by Barbra Hershey and the townspeople. The town lives and breathes basketball. Winning players are treated like gods. The fans are obsessive, but not to the lengths of say the fans in "Friday Night Lights." Myra Fleener (Hershey) tells coach Dale that she wants him to stay away from the best player because she wants kids at the school to look beyond basketball and the small town in which they live. Dale does, but then, eventually, that player decides he wants to play because he believes Coach Dale deserves a chance. In fact, he says he won't play unless Dale coaches. This sets in motion Hickory's run to the state championship.
There is also a great subplot involving Dale and Shooter, the town drunk (played by Dennis Hopper). Shooter's knowledge of basketball, especially about the Huskers, is encyclopedic. His son also plays for the team and he used to be a player himself. But he has become an alcoholic. Dale decides to give him a chance and make him an assistant coach. The ups and downs of Shooter create great human drama and Hopper is amazing in one of the best performances of his career.
Many movies have tried to be "Hoosiers." Not surprisingly, most fail. From the style of film editing, to the music, to the Cinderella plot, "Hoosiers" has been ripped off, but never duplicated. While the story is predictable the characters are continuously engaging and it doesn't hurt that the plot is based on a true story. When Hackman's greatest performances are listed, "Hoosiers" rarely comes up. This is probably because it's not flashy and edgy. What Hackman does here is more subtle and moving. Great performances and an inspiring story makes "Hoosiers" a winner.
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