With the weekend coming up,I decided to check what flicks were about to leave Netflix UK. Knowing him for his tough Horror/Thriller titles,I was surprised to spot a Sports Drama by William Friedkin,which led to me grabbing a pack of chips.
The plot:
Suffering a terrible season, legendary basketball coach Pete Bell feels the pressure to get the team back on track. Remembering how successful he has been in finding new comers,Bell looks towards the amateur league. As Bell signs on new talent,he learns that some of his best players have been cashing in backhanders.
View on the film:
Fuming by the sideline, Nick Nolte gives a powerhouse performance as Bell,who bites the arm of anyone who gets on his wrong side. Joined by the very good,more mellow J.T. Walsh, Mary McDonnell and Al Bundy, (playing a character with the very original name "Ed"!)Nolte gives Bell's marching orders to the team a warm howl,as Bell's sets his sights on the team leaping to victory.
Shooting hoops as a writer,the screenplay by Ron Shelton scoops out most of the feel-good Sports movie clichés for a more earthy approach,with the issues the team face in backhanders and burnouts lingering as doubt in Bell for the whole season. Appearing to set up a cheerful final shot, Shelton instead slams the ball down for a poetic ending which gets to Bell's love of the game. Ducking and weaving in the game,director William Friedkin & cinematographer Tom Priestley Jr. gives the games a documentary closeness,via tightly held shots listening in on each team member helping to plan victory by chipping in.
The plot:
Suffering a terrible season, legendary basketball coach Pete Bell feels the pressure to get the team back on track. Remembering how successful he has been in finding new comers,Bell looks towards the amateur league. As Bell signs on new talent,he learns that some of his best players have been cashing in backhanders.
View on the film:
Fuming by the sideline, Nick Nolte gives a powerhouse performance as Bell,who bites the arm of anyone who gets on his wrong side. Joined by the very good,more mellow J.T. Walsh, Mary McDonnell and Al Bundy, (playing a character with the very original name "Ed"!)Nolte gives Bell's marching orders to the team a warm howl,as Bell's sets his sights on the team leaping to victory.
Shooting hoops as a writer,the screenplay by Ron Shelton scoops out most of the feel-good Sports movie clichés for a more earthy approach,with the issues the team face in backhanders and burnouts lingering as doubt in Bell for the whole season. Appearing to set up a cheerful final shot, Shelton instead slams the ball down for a poetic ending which gets to Bell's love of the game. Ducking and weaving in the game,director William Friedkin & cinematographer Tom Priestley Jr. gives the games a documentary closeness,via tightly held shots listening in on each team member helping to plan victory by chipping in.