I’m not one for mushy movies and decided to pass by Radio while searching for a movie to use my free rental coupon on. I ended up with a totally different genre when I picked up Underworld instead. Going back to Blockbuster last week, I just couldn’t pass by it this time. I had spoken with my brother earlier that week and he raved about the movie, even told me that he cried (which he never does) at the end of this movie. If it made my brother cry, I had to see it!


Cuba Gooding Jr.… Radio (James)
Ed Harris… Coach Harold Jones
Brent Sexton… Honeycutt
Alfre Woodard… Principal Daniels
Epatha Merkerson… Maggie
Debra Winger… Linda
Sarah Drew… Mary Helen
Riley Smith… Johnny
Chris Mulkey… Frank

Anderson, South Carolina - 1976

We begin with an immediate introduction to the star of the film, a young mentally challenged teenager that lives on the outskirts of town. This young man, James Robert Kennedy does not attend any kind of school and we learn that he lives at home with his mother, a nurse in the local hospital.

Instead of going to school, James travels into town everyday, pushing his shopping cart full of goodies. When he goes through town, he does not notice the strange looks from all the people he passes. He pushes his cart by the football field everyday when practice is occurring.

One day, James happens to be passing the fenced in field when a football comes flying over the fence. He picks the football up and refuses to give it to the player, Johnny, when demanded to toss it back. James puts it in his cart instead and hurries on. Johnny tattles to the coach, but Coach Jones says nothing, just watches the teenager go by.

But the next day, he does say something, when he and Coach Honeycutt find that some of the players locked James in the supply shed. A terrified James hightails it back to his cart and off the school grounds as soon Coach Jones frees him. Principal Daniels catches Coach Jones the next day and makes it known that she will not accept that kind of behavior from his players. It’s after this talk that Coach Jones watches James go by the school grounds and runs out to intercept him.

When approached, James immediately offers the football back to the coach. But Coach Jones tells him to keep it. He tells him to come by the practice field later that night, that he will give him something to do. But he doesn’t get a job to do. Instead, he is there to watch as the 9 players involved in his maltreatment are made to sprint across the field for hours as punishment.

Run them. Until I say stop.… Coach Jones

It’s not soon after that, that Coach Jones does manage to find odd jobs for James, whom they nickname Radio because of his love for any radio he spots. Radio soon becomes a permanent fixture at the practice field, and on the sidelines at the football games. He even joins the cheerleaders at times. The team begins to love him, and the crowd cheers for him.

But there are those in town that believe he is a distraction. Will they get their wish to have Radio sidelined forever? What will the school board think about the situation? Or will Coach Jones and his family teach them all a lesson?


~ Soundtrack ~
Eyes of the Heart - India Arie, We Can Work it Out - Stevie Wonder, That Lady - The Isley Brothers, I’ll Be Around - The Spinners, If You Don’t Know Me By Now - Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Sha La La - Al Green, We’re An American Band - Grand Funk Railroad, China Groove - The Doobie Brothers, Wake Up Everybody - Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, The Rubberband Man - The Spinners, Be Thankful For What You Got - William DeVaughan, Going In Circles - Friends of Distinction, Radio’s Day, Gift of the Ball, Learning the Ropes, Being Left Behind, Resignation, Never So Alone, Night Game, and Radio - Chuck Brodsky


Based on a true story, Radio centers around a mentally challenged teenager in 1976. I was a little skeptical at first about this movie, because I don’t always enjoy movies that are based on true stories. I have no way of knowing if this movie stayed true to the actual events in South Carolina, but it was definitely a joy to watch. The movie is pretty predictable, but you can still enjoy the movie nonetheless.

Cuba Gooding Jr. was excellent in his role as Radio, and I cannot believe that he didn’t get nominated for some kind of award for it. He is believable and sincere as his portrayal of Radio. Ed Harris portrayal of the coach that turned Radio’s life around was also a character well acted. He was the tough coach that had a soft side and basically taught everyone a lesson, including himself.

Alfre Woodard was cast well as the principal that was basically Coach Jones conscious. She believed he was doing right, but had other people to answer to that made her seem two-faced at times. Brent Sexton was not really a big force in this movie, he was there just to back the coach up with a less than noticeable performance.

The others cast in this movie, were also pretty much in it just to be there. None of the other performances really stood out in my mind. Debra Winger portrayed the coaches wife…there really wasn’t a lot to her character. It seemed to exist just to be there to give a pep talk when the coach questioned what he was doing at one point in the movie. The young actors Drew and Smith. Were also just there because young students were needed in this film. They did credible work, but nothing substantial.

This DVD featured audio setup, subtitles (English and French), Subtitles, Scene Selections, Trailers, Directors Commentary, 3 Featurettes, Deleted Scenes, and Filmographies.

This film is rated PG because there is some bad language involved. Radio seems to love the word “chickensh*t”, after hearing Coach Jones call the referee that. Otherwise, I would say that it is definitely a good movie to show your children about morals and values. Just cover their ears when it comes to the previous mentioned part. Radio was filmed mostly in the small town of Anderson…it’s school and football field.

I have to say that even against my best intentions, I cried at the end of this movie. That’s simply enough to have me definitely recommending this movie. Overall, it’s truly a touching and moving story that will make even the toughest tear up. How can I not recommend this movie, especially when it portrays a true story about a challenged teenager that changed so many peoples lives’, without even realizing it.


~ Happy Crying!

Kim


Genre: Drama
Release Date: October 2003
Director: Michael Tollin
Writer: Mike Rich
Running Time: 109 minutes
Rated: PG


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older