Hoosiers (1986)

 Hoosiers (1986)

Hoosiers is about as predictable as a sports movie can get. It follows the same formula that Hollywood has been doing since the beginning of time: the losing team, the new coach, the obligatory training sequences, the team driving toward its darkest hour before finally heading towards happiness and triumph. Despite the lack of originality, the movie stands out because of its charm, heart, and knowledge that screenwriter Angelo Pizzo and director David Anspaugh interject in their film. The movie understands the role of small-town politics on high school sports; how parents and school councils believe they know more about sports (in this case, basketball) more than anyone else. As a small-town man myself, I agree with how they portrayed the rural, small-town feeling.

 

This is one of those movies that nearly faded into obscurity. The studio, Orion pretty much just dumped the film and offered little support. It was produced on a tiny budget. Little cash was left for the studio to hire anyone for the basketball teams, so they hired locals from Indiana to help. The crowd shots you see are actually legitimate shots from actual games. Even actor Gene Hackman had no faith. He quoted that this movie would be a “career-killer” for him. If the filmmakers took a trip to the future, they would find out the movie had financial success, excellent critical response, two Academy Award nominations, and the fact that it is often rated as one of the top sport movies of all time (which is a fair statement).

 

The movie is very loosely based off the 1954’s state victory from Indiana’s Milan High School. During this time period (and until 1997), Indiana was a state that had its high schools play in one division unlike other states, so that made this championship run unique. The championship game in the film is very similar to the real-life team, even down to exact locations where baskets were being made. The main difference is the season itself. The film’s Hickory Huskers were a losing team while Milan’s team was a contending powerhouse despite fielding a very small team alas “the David slays Goliath” scenario.

 

In addition to being about basketball, the film is also one of those classic redemption films on a smaller, more personal scale. A coach trying to redeem his past and his heart, an alcoholic father of one of the kids trying to redeem himself, etc. The Hickory Huskies are a team that has no heart and no hustle. Coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) is hired to help this team turn around. The coach was mired in a scandal in his past and seems to have unorthodox training ways. He also falls in love with one of the teachers in the school, Myra Fleener (Barbara Hershey). Meanwhile, he allows Shooter (Dennis Hopper), one of the player’s fathers, to be his assistant coach provided he stops drinking. Will he bring a championship to the team despite the increase in pressure of his personal life?

 

Sorry, Mr. Hackman but this film did not kill your career. In fact, I strongly believed you were one of the film’s many highlights. As a coach, he comes across very likable…but there is a complexity within his character. Hackman was able to bring these two traits together. That said, I do not think his relationship worked well with the teacher on the whole. Some interesting scenes, but I did not buy much into this relationship. Dennis Hopper was a very likeable alcoholic and I liked where his character arc went. He allowed some of the film’s emotion to take place, and his performance earned him an Academy Award nomination.

 

What lacks in originality, Hoosiers makes up with heart and determination. Pizzo and Anspaugh understood the dynamics of their characters and setting. The film was made with lots of skill and a lot of love was given to this film. I could see the ending from miles and miles away, but its how we get to that finish line that matters. As for sports movie, this is as great as it gets. When you can make deep characterizations within a sports setting, that’s when you have something special on your hands. Sadly, the film could have used less one-note relationship scenes. Anyhow, definitely recommend this movie!

 

My Grade: A-