*Typed while nursing*
Ah, why do I homeschool, let me count the ways. Or you can go see this movie and I won't have to bother. This movie is perfect example of how kids live up or down to what is expected of them and how at least this particular public school in the film expects less than more. My personal experience with public schools has been no more has been expected of minority students beyond being bipedal, but perhaps I should talk more about the movie than my bitter public school experience.
Coach Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) is a Joe Clark(a great man by the way who I think should be cloned and sent to every public school)esque type of man. He utilises strange tactics like discipline and a sense of self respect in how young men carry themselves to make a high school basketball team live up to their potential, and hopefully achieve college.
Now, I am not a very good movie reviewer because I never know exactly how much more of a plot I should reveal than what is in previews without spoiling the movie.
I will say I found the scenarios realistic. I do recommend this film and I would almost give it an 'A' except for one big problem I had with it that almost had me walk out. It made me feel so bad. One of the basketball players' girlfriends, played by Ashanti, is pregnant. She decides because the future is unsure and she really wants her boyfriend to go off to college instead of remaining in a dead end life in the ghetto to have an abortion. After that all is well in the world. There is one point in the movie where Coach Carter stresses the importance of star athletes not getting special treatment and having to obey the rules like everyone else. But then the girlfriend has an abortion.
Watching the games is fun and watching the transformation from thugs into young men is also fun. I also liked the soundtrack and perhaps will purchase it. So I give the movie a 'C'.