Movie Review: Coach Carter
Rate This Article
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that the film has some mature material
for a PG-13, including an out of wedlock teen pregnancy and a
discussion of abortion. There is some strong language, but the
movie includes a very worthwhile discussion of the n-word and
whether it is appropriate for African-Americans to use a word
that would make them angry if used by a white person. The film
is frank about the kinds of violence inner-city neighborhoods
are subjected to, including shooting. A character is killed.
There is some material relating to drug-dealing.
Families who see this film might talk about the movie's focus on the use of language and dress to show respect. They might want to learn about the real Coach Carter, who was honored by being asked to carry the Olympic flame. Why did Carter's son want to transfer? Another great discussion could center on the passage quoted from Marianne Williamson (often incorrectly attributed to Nelson Mandela): "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Common Sense Media Review
We all love movies about underdog teams that come from
behind because they (1) learn the importance of teamwork, (2)
learn the importance of discipline and of respect for
themselves and each other, (3) are galvanized by an inspiring
leader, or, even better, (4) all of the above.
This movie, based on a true story, takes it a step further. Coach Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson), a star athlete himself in an inner-city California high school returns to coach the team. He insists that each member of the team sign a contract that includes wearing jacket and tie on game days, attending all classes and sitting in the front row in each one, and maintaining a higher grade point average than the minimum required for participation in sports. He wanted more for the young men than a winning season. Coach Carter wanted them to have a winning life, and that means that they had to have grades that would get them into college. In his view, student athletes were students first, athletes second.
This seems simple and straightforward enough unless you are a sports fan. Or unless you are the kind of person who calls himself a "realist" and thinks these kids are not worth trying to save. Their principal falls into that category. She figures that they are not going to graduate anyway, so the best she can do is give them one great experience they can hold onto for the rest of their lives. But Coach Carter wants more. And he wants them to want more.
He brings them together as a team, turning them from playas into players.
