Morgan M
You know, I find it a bit ridiculous that most movies with Characters that are mainly African American/Black, never make it past a 5 or above in its 5 star ratings. I think that this movie is excellent. It shows what our struggles are and were like with trying to go out into the world. "Some things don't change"; yeah well, Mr. Howard, they don't. And according to these comments, it seems like many of us as a generation will still have to put up with the nonsense. Movie was exceptional. Take a look into o u r world. Many cheat us of our ratings and it's beyond foul. Bet if this movie was mainly with Caucasians, it'd be at least a 9, am I correct? Just being honest.
Objectivity
I checked IMDb : 3.9 score. Then I worked out this was a "black" film, or, translated, an inspiring film where the main subjects are black but which can be inspiration to anyone out there. And "black" films hardly ever get scores above 5, so I decided to take it out anyhow and see it for myself.What a film. What a performance from Terrence Howard, yet again - this man doesn't know what bad acting is; whatever the film, the Oscar winning CRASH, the revenge thriller with Jodie Foster, THE BRAVE ONE, John Singleton's FOUR BROTHERS, or HUSTLE & FLOW, this guy shows he is one of the best actors around.Whatever your colour, simply put your Objective hat on and let yourself be inspired - you'll go to bed dreaming, feeling good, moved, inspired. Brilliant.
gufodotto
In fact this movie isn't great. it isn't that bad either. certainly, it is not a 2.6 - 3.2 movie. more like a 6.5. I'd vote 10 just to bring up the average. But it would be silly. let's give it a 7.Back to the movie, though, it's one of the few where swimming is featured, instead of the statutory American sports. A nice change. I didn't know of Jim Ellis, and don't know if its team really managed to win the city championship after just a few month's training. It looks unlikely to me.Yet, the film is watchable, and it nicely shows that real people aren't (morally) black or white.
Xina143
Great Film, first of all! I coach swimming and Ellis is a role model in my world. But I wanted to address a few things another poster said.One, at the final meet, you will notice that ALL the teams had very small teams. Look at the point accumulation, and that is obvious. Also, back then there were a very limited number of events, with each team only allowed to swim ONE swimmer per event. It is entirely possible for a small team to take the title as that is all that was brought to these meets...A small, select few.Back in the 70's the sport was not broken up into boys and girls events, not to mention training was the same for both boys and girls back then. Now you will find more emphasis is put on cardio (for endurance) for the girls, and the boys will lift weights for power. Do not get me wrong, BOTH will do cardio and lift, but boys and girls often are taught to emphasis different things these days. Back then, not so. The idea of a girl beating the boys, is certainly not far fetched.As to the flip turn debacle...after a flip turn you should NOT be disoriented, unless you don't know what you are doing. The lanes were narrower back then as well, it is easy to kick someone IF you are intending to do it.IF you like swimming, this is a pretty accurate portrayal of what Ellis went through, how he coached his kids and WHY PDR is STILL a powerhouse to this day.
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