"Coach Carter" Review

Coach Carter was directed by Thomas Carter and based on the life of Ken Carter. It is considered a drama. The movie, Coach Carter, is about the concept of student athletes and what it means. It is about a basketball team that was not doing well on the court as well as in school. A new coach is hired to help the team start winning, but he has a little more in store for them.

The author’s purpose of the movie is to show that there is more to school sports than just winning and having fun. The movie teaches that one must have the grades and get into college in order to even continue playing basketball, let alone succeed in life. It shows that anyone can get somewhere in life as long as they have discipline and put forth hard work. The school in the movie has low scores and do not have much hope for the students. There is a high dropout rate, meaning not many students make it to college. African Americans, who make up most of the team, statistically are more likely going to jail than to college. In this movie the coach teaches the boys what it means to be a team. In the end they all come together to help one another. This movie is based on a true story and most the boys made it to college, many with scholarships. That shows the world that as long as you push yourself anything is possible.

The writer displays the development of the team clearly. The players are first shown losing a game and arguing with one another on whose fault it was. Then the new coach and his ways are put in place. The guys are shown as very disrespectful to one another and the coach at the first practice. The coach gives each player a contract and very strict rules along with their consequences. The students are shown over time giving more respect to the coach and learning how to use the discipline learned to help them. The team is undefeated throughout the movie, but you can see it getting to their heads. The coach as well notices the kids’ big heads. He finds out the boys are not doing well in school, which was part of their contract, and he teaches them a lesson by canceling practice and games until the boys bring up their grades. He wants the boys to know it is not just about basketball and winning, but also school. He makes it clear that he is coaching student athletes and that student comes first. Many people are opposed but the coach stands firm on his beliefs and word. In the end the basketball players stand by their coach and bring their grades up before they start playing again. The team loses the last championship game, but show they are still proud of their accomplishments.