- Coach Carter
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Coach Carter 
Theatrical release posterDirected by Thomas Carter Produced by David Gale
Brian Robbins
Michael TollinWritten by Mark Schwahn
John GatinsStarring Samuel L. Jackson
Robert Ri'chard
Rob Brown
Debbi Morgan
Ashanti
Rick Gonzalez
Antwon Tanner
Nana Gbewonyo
Channing TatumMusic by Kenneth Burgomaster
DMX
Paul Linford
Trevor RabinCinematography Sharone Meir Editing by Peter Berger Studio MTV Films Distributed by Paramount Pictures Release date(s) January 14, 2005 Running time 136 minutes Country United States Language English Budget $30 million Box office $76,669,806[1] Coach Carter is a 2005 American film directed by Thomas Carter. It is based on a true story, in which Richmond High School basketball coach Ken Carter made headlines in 1999 for benching his MVP and undefeated team due to poor academic results.
The screenplay was co-written by Mark Schwahn, who created the TV series One Tree Hill. The movie also recycles a handful of plot-lines from another TV series, The White Shadow, which director Thomas Carter co-starred in.
Contents
Plot
Ken Carter takes the job as coach of the Richmond Oilers basketball team at his old school Richmond High School, having been on the team himself and earned unbeaten records. Taking over from Coach White, Carter learns the team members are rude and disrespectful. He gives the team individual contracts, instructing them to attend all of their classes and maintain a grade average of 2.3 (although the local average grade students are meant to maintain is 2.0). Carter also asks the school staff for progress reports on the players' attendance. However, three players including Timo Cruz refuse to follow the contract and quits the team. Nonetheless, Carter coaches the team well and allow them to win their first victory whilst playing properly. Carter's son Damien joins the team, after quitting the private school St. Francis to play for his father.
Teammate Kenyon Stone struggles to come to terms with his girlfriend Kyra being pregnant and eventually splits up with her, unsure if he could juggle basketball, college and being a parent. Their relationship is explored over the course of the film. Cruz attempts to rejoin the basketball team after watching them at their last game, but Carter refuses to let him back in. Cruz has to do 1000 suicides and 2500 pushups to earn Carter's approval, aided by his teammates, eventually succeeding and is allowed back on the team. Carter continues to educate the teammates, teaching them respect for other players. The team eventually won a holiday season basketball tournament, and are invited to a suburb mansion by a fan to party. Carter finds out, crashing the party with the mansion's owners. The enraged Carter returns to his office and finds the progress reports reveal the teammates have been skipping classes.
Carter initiates a lockdown on the gym, forbidding the team from playing until they improve their grades, angering the locals and is verbally and physically abused by numerous people. Cruz quits the team again, hanging out with his drug-dealing cousin Remmy, only to witness his cousin get gunned down and dies. Cruz goes to Carter in tears and is allowed back on the team. The school board eventually confronts Carter, who justifies his actions, explaining he wants to give his team the opportunity and option for further education so they do not resort to crime. The board, save Principal Garrison and the chairwoman, vote to end the lockout, much to Carter's regret.
Carter quits his job, but finds the team studying in the gym, unwilling to play basketball. Cruz reveals to Carter his deepest fear, which Carter asked for repeatedly in the film, is being unable to fulfill his true potential, by quoting Marianne Williamson. Eventually the team improve their grade and are allowed to play basketball again. Kenyon reunites with Kyra, learning she had an abortion. The team play in the high school playoffs, learning their first opponent is St. Francis. The team ultimately loses, but are proud with what they have achieved. The ending reveals six of the players including Damien, Cruz and Kenyon all went to college.
Cast
- Samuel L. Jackson — Coach Ken Ray Carter
- Robert Ri'chard — Damien Carter
- Rob Brown — Kenyon Stone
- Rick Gonzalez — Timo Cruz
- Nana Gbewonyo — Junior Battle
- Antwon Tanner — Jaron 'Worm Willis
- Channing Tatum — Jason Lyle
- Sean Mc Groarty — Polish Snake Tamer
- Tadhg Deevy — Assistant Polish Snake Tamer
- Ashanti — Kyra
- Texas Battle — Maddux
- Denise Dowse — Principal Garrison
- Debbi Morgan — Tonya Carter
- Mel Winkler — Coach White
- Vincent Laresca — Renny
- Sidney Faison — Ty Crane
- Octavia Spencer — Willa Battle
- Adrienne Bailon — Dominique
- Dana Davis — Peyton
- Bob Costas - Himself
- Lorcan Ryan - Tyreek
- Jeremy Wray - Tyron
- Shorty Mack - Pinole Guy
- Ray Baker - St. Francis Coach
Critical reception
The reviews for the film were generally positive, and as of May 1, 2011 it has a 65% fresh rating at rottentomatoes.com. Critics gave Jackson considerable praise for what they believed to be his strongest performance to date.
Box office
The movie debuted at #1 on the U.S. Box Office and has grossed over $67 million to date. However, the movie was not as big of a hit worldwide, managing to bring in only $9 million overseas, for a total of $76 million.
Soundtrack
Main article: Coach Carter (soundtrack)The film features the song "Hope" by Twista and Faith Evans as the main song off the film's soundtrack. An extensive list of songs is featured on the soundtrack which differs from the soundtrack recording. The recording has five songs which were not featured in the film : About da game by Trey Songz; Balla by Mack 10 featuring Da Hood; Beauty queen by CzarNok; What Love Can Do by Letoya; and Wouldn't You Like to Ride, Kanye West; Malik Usef, Common.
Awards/nominations
- Black Movie Awards
- Outstanding Achievement in Directing: Thomas Carter (Winner)
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture: Samuel L. Jackson (Nominated)
- Outstanding Motion Picture: David Gale, Brian Robbins & Michael Tollin (Nominated)
- Black Reel Awards
- Best Director: Thomas Carter (Winner)
- Best Actor: Samuel L. Jackson (Nominated)
- Best Breakthrough Performance: Ashanti (Nominated)
- Image Awards
- Outstanding Motion Picture: (Nominated)
- Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: Samuel L. Jackson (Winner)
- Outstanding Director for a Motion Picture: Thomas Carter (Nominated)
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Ashanti (Nominated)
- MTV Movie Awards
- Best Female Breakthrough Performance: Ashanti (Nominated)
References
External links
- Official movie site
- Official Coach Carter Soundtrack
- Coach Carter on Rotten Tomatoes
- Coach Carter at the Internet Movie Database
- Coach Carter at Box Office Mojo
- Coach Carter (non-film)
Films directed by Thomas Carter Swing Kids (1993) · Metro (1997) · Save the Last Dance (2001) · Coach Carter (2005) · Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (2009)MTV Films Joe's Apartment (1996) · Beavis and Butt-head Do America (1996) · Dead Man on Campus (1998) · Varsity Blues (1999) · 200 Cigarettes (1999) · Election (1999) · The Wood (1999) · The Original Kings of Comedy (2000) · Save the Last Dance (2001) · Pootie Tang (2001) · Orange County (2002) · Better Luck Tomorrow (2002) · Crossroads (2002) · Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat (2002) · Jackass: The Movie (2002) · The Fighting Temptations (2003) · Tupac: Resurrection (2003) · The Perfect Score (2004) · Napoleon Dynamite (2004) · Hustle & Flow (2005) · Coach Carter (2005) · Murderball (2005) · The Longest Yard (2005) · Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005) · Æon Flux (2005) · Jackass Number Two (2006) · Freedom Writers (2007) · Blades of Glory (2007) · Beneath (2007) · How She Move (2008) · Stop-Loss (2008) · Dance Flick (2009) · Jackass 3D (2010) · Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011) · Love (2011)
Categories:- American films
- English-language films
- 2005 films
- American basketball films
- American coming-of-age films
- 2000s drama films
- Sports films based on actual events
- Paramount Pictures films
- African American films
- Hood films
- Films set in 1999
- Films set in California
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