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The biggest
problem Remember the Titans is going to have is selling
itself to a British audience. Even Channel 4 has given up
showing the Superbowl live so what chance does a film about
American football really have.
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| "I
don't like you" "Well, I don't like you
either" |
The
producer's will no doubt hope the presence of Denzil Washington
will pull a few fans in. And it's to be hoped the strategy
works because Remember the Titans is a very good
film.
It's based
on a true story about a black coach, Herman Boone (Washington),
who takes over at a newly integrated Virginia high school
back in the early 1970's.
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| "Hey
guys, it's the stereotypical no hope fat guy. I bet
he's a winner by the end of the film." |
The
locals aren't impressed, especially when successful white
coach Yoast (Patton) loses his position.
It's black
against white, town against individual, but when the college
football side starts winning all their games the team unites,
the town unites and it's the college football system's racism
which comes under scrutiny.
What makes
this film better than many is the presence of so many strongly
defined characters. True, many are stereotypical. You have
the fat white no hoper who makes good, the wise cracking black
kid, the black and white pack leaders who don't get on but
end up being best buddies. Somehow it all works.
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| We've
won the game and overcome prejudice. Must be the end
of the film! |
If
there is a fault it's the speed at which the film dispenses
with the problems faced integrating a school in the American
south. There are isolated incidents - the first day at
school and a brick thrown through Coach Boone's house.
But the coming together of the community seems too easily
achieved.
Stick
with the film, however, and you'll be rewarded with that
feel good feeling. And if it does help reduce racism in
sport, all the better.
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