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Every year, it seems that there’s always at
least one film that folks like to think is Oscar worthy because
of the subject matter or the actors in the film. Either they go
because they like the actors in the film and the subject matter or they don't go because of vice-versa. Sometimes the subject matter is too closely related to their
personal life that they don’t want to get emotional in the
theater. After all, movies are supposed to be entertaining right?
When “I Am Sam” came out a few years ago, some folks
didn’t want to go because they felt that their emotions were
already “bought” as soon as they saw the trailer. How
do you pan a movie about the mentally challenged? Nevertheless,
Sean Penn received an Academy nomination for his performance in
that film. In a story not so different from that one, “Radio”
is another film where, judging by the trailer, your emotions are
already “bought”. Cuba Gooding Jr.’s portrayal
as James Robert Kennedy makes “Radio” an uplifting film
where several lessons are learned.
Based on an article written by Gary Smith in Sports Illustrated
in 1996, “Radio” tells the true story of James Robert
Kennedy (Gooding Jr.), nicknamed Radio because of his love of music
and the massive collection of radios he’s gotten from his
mother or found on the streets. Set in South Carolina around 1975,
Radio is mentally impaired, but has a good sense of understanding
of what’s going on in life. Always by himself, he starts to
hang out by the football field where he catches the attention of
Coach Jones (Harris). For some reason, Harris allows Radio to enter
the practice fields and serve as a boost for the players. In a town
where there are no major sports on the professional side, football
is everything and Coach Jones needs to have a good season to keep
his job. Coach Jones takes a liking to Radio as the two formed a
bond, much to the chagrin of Radio’s mom (Merkerson), who
questions the Coach’s motives for hanging with her son. As
kind and gentle Radio is, his “mannerisms” present a
challenge for some players on the team as well as the school principal
(Woodard) who wonders whether Radio should be spending time at another
school where he can be taken care of properly. Along with his wife
(Winger) and daughter (Drew), Coach Jones is determined to teach
Radio the fundamentals of life and let the town know that this guy
brings joy and comfort to anyone who would give him the time.
What makes “Radio” worth watching is the sheer performances
given by most of the leads. Gooding Jr. doesn’t always get
the best of roles. Since he won the Oscar for Jerry Maguire, in
which he was amazing I might add, his choices of films haven’t
been great. For every Jerry Maguire, there are Chill Factor, Snow
Dogs, and more recently Boat Trip. Nevertheless, in this film, he
gracefully commands your attention with a performance that is earnest,
credible, and non-exploitative. Much like Rain Man and I Am Sam,
this film is also a buddy movie where screenwriter Rich sets up
the formula between Gooding Jr. and Harris’s characters. Their
bond is genuine and appealing. Based on a true story, Coach Jones is a composite
of the many coaches that Radio had friendships with, Harris plays
him with an upbeat and inspiring performance. Aside from James Horner’s
clichéd and manipulative score, the film touches you because
you do feel for the guy and how much he has given his community.
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