Is there really much debate as to which sports film is the best? Sure, some will say it’s Rocky and others might throw out Raging Bull. However, without a doubt, the correct answer is Hoosiers. It’s a timeless classic that while totally predictable, manages to engage the viewer and completely entertain for an hour and a half. Simply put, it’s pure magic on film.
Hoosiers features the small Indiana town of Hickory and its obsession with high school basketball. For those from Indiana or with relatives that live in Indiana, you know that this is no exaggeration. High school basketball is what small towns live for as the entire town embraces the team and follows their games with unbridled enthusiasm.
The film starts as the new basketball coach, Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) arrives in town and is immediately treated as an outsider. He is first confronted Myra Fleener (Barbara Hershey) who is a teacher at the school as well as caretaker for local legend Jimmy Chitwood. She tells him to stay away from Jimmy so that he can concentrate on studying as opposed to hoops. Dale’s second confrontation is with the interm coach. They don’t see eye to eye on basketball issues so he’s dismissed. 0-2 is not a good average.
Coach Dale’s coaching ways rub the town, not to mention the players, the wrong way. They don’t like his coaching style and they’re determined to take him down. It doesn’t help that he’s been less than successful on the court. A town meeting is summoned to vote on Coach Dale’s future (demise). A vote is taken and before the results can be read, Jimmy appears and asks to speak in front of the group. He has a simple announcement, “I play, coach stays. He goes, I go.” Quickly, there is a revote and Coach Dale gets to keep his job.
At this point, there is no stopping the team. They march on through the regular season and are primed to make a playoff run. But, there is a problem. In Indiana, all teams (at the time) competed in one mega-tourney. And, Hickory, being a small team, was at a big disadvantage. But, their heart was a big as any other school. I don’t think it’s spoiling too much to say that Hickory is triumphant as Jimmy leads the team to victory.
At no time is the viewer in doubt about the outcome of the film. We know that Hickory is going to win the big game, but the fun is the journey to get there. In fact, Hoosiers is semi-based on the 1954 Milan High School team’s march to the state title. I’m sure their coach wasn’t nearly has charismatic as Gene Hackman and I’m sure they didn’t have an alcoholic as an assistant coach that resembles Dennis Hopper. Either way, the trip to the title is a fun and entertaining one.
The predictability of the film couldn’t have worked without the interesting script along with the actors involved in it. Gene Hackman is simply wonderful as the complex Coach Dale. He is a noble man that is haunted by past indiscretions in need of another chance. Here, in Hickory, he gets that chance. Coach Dale also allows another individual in the film to get his second chance. Shooter (Dennis Hopper) is that character and Hopper is wonderful and well deserved of his Oscar nomination. He portrays the town drunk with great depth and passion. He showcases a wide range of emotions throughout the film in great brilliance. No where is he better than when Coach Dale purposely gets himself thrown out of the game to let Shooter get his chance at coaching. He’s a man back in his element of basketball and he initially shows a little tentativeness, but his knowledge of the game soon takes over. Barbara Hershey’s role did not seem to be on par with the other two major performances. While not bad per se, she doesn’t really have a lot to do in the film and the romance between Hackman and herself is just painful to watch. Although, that is more of a script issue and Hackman deserves some of the blame as well.
One of the best aspects of the film is the quality of the basketball that is played. I’m a stickler for accuracy in sports movies and Hoosiers manages to be completely convincing. All of the players are basketball players first and actors second. Sure, it makes some of the "acting” scenes seem a little wooden, but the quality of the basketball played in the movie makes up for those awkward moments.
Is Hoosiers predictable? Well, the answer is absolutely yes. But, that doesn’t impact the quality of the film. The journey to the conclusion is an up and down roller coaster ride that thoroughly entertains. While basketball is the focus of the film, it’s truly a film about redemption and the struggles of life. It’s a magical picture that gives me chills to this day.