Coach Don Haskins played by Josh Lucas      

                      Team at the NCAA Championships

I have never been paid to report on movies, entertainment or anything for that matter.  I do, as those who know me, watch films critically.  Last night I saw Glory Road and was moved by the film.  Why would a vertically challenged middle-aged guy like me enjoy a film about basketball players.  The answer is simple - this film is about much more than sport.  It is about character.

I look for films with great stories and with characters who exhibit passion.  For me, Glory Road is one of those.  This film is about life or more accurately life in a turbulent racial time in our nation's history.  A time when it was it was unthinkable to take risks as Coach Don Haskins did in bringing young black youths from the northen inner cities to play in the then segregrated south. Giving young men - black and white - a chance to work, live and learn together from one another. 

This film demonstrates the trials they endured on and off the courts.  It is fast paced and doesn't dribble along.  Most possibly due to being a Jerry Bruckheimer production.  Not only does Mr. Bruckheimer seem to have the Midas touch with entertainment his films are always action oriented.  What makes this different is the action in the games is a complementary analogy of the action taking place at that time in history in the Courts, in Congress and across the south.   

Whether in reality Coach Haskins was a great socially enlightened individual or like many throughout history was just at the right place at the right time and took advantage of his great fortune is left to those who know the man and his players.  His motives matter little to me because even if his motive was simply just to "win" I believe he illuminated the true path to racial equality.  Success begets success.  Learning how to win requires learning how to be a winner. 

Coach Haskins taught his players how to be winners and each player went on to make a difference in their community. To me that is the sign of a winner.  Now, if the NCAA could bottle that and sell it they could afford to educate every young person in America. 

As a moviegoer and REALTORŪ I give this film - SOLD  SOLD  SOLD  SOLD out of 4 sold signs!

Check out what others think about GLORY ROAD and feel free to share your comments.