Radio

The fact that the movie is based on a true story contributes to a better and, of course, more realistic experience and keeps the viewer focused on the basic theme of the movie. The story is filled with unexpected twists which keeps the viewer at all times from figuring the ending out. In one moment you think that something happens to Coach Jones or Radio. Well it does, but certainly not what you'd expect.

The film becomes at no point boring or too sentimental and the acting performances by Ed Harris & Cuba Gooding Jr. are some of their best in my opinion. The ending puts a long lasting smile on your face and makes you wonder if what you are doing is right. Well I guess that was what Michael Tollin & Mike Rich were trying to do. First-class movie.

Esbjørn Nordby Birch. Denmark.

This was unusual: a modern-day film which was ultra-nice. In fact, it was so nice it bordered on being too hard to believe in parts. As I watching this based-on-a-real-life story, I was thinking, "nobody is this nice, this tolerant." Mainly, I was referring to Ed Harris' role as "Coach Jones." I think they went a little overboard on his character, but that's better than the reverse: showing him worse than what he was in real life. Odd to see Harris playing the role, too, since he has a long resume of playing nasty, profane characters.

Anyway, I never complain about a nice, feel-good film, and it is nice to see a bunch of well- meaning, kind people. Those folks direct their friendship, love and compassion to "James Kennedy," better known as "Radio," a mentally slow high school kid played by Cuba Gooding Jr. The story takes place in the mid 1970s in South Carolina. Gooding does a nice job with the role, too. However, like Sean Penn's role of a mentally-challenged man in "I Am Sam," an hour-and-a-half of a character like this is plenty. After that, the loudness of those guys gets tiresome to hear.

Note: It was interesting in one of the documentaries on this DVD to find out that, in real life, in took years for "Radio" to make his transformation, not months as shown in the film.

This is a great heartwarming story that the whole family can watch and enjoy, both young and old, which is rare! It is even made better by the fact that this is based on a true story. I love movies that remind us of and reinforce the good in humanity.

This film won a CAMIE award, which stands for "Character and Morality in Entertainment", which recognizes movies that are entertaining and uplifting. I didn't even know this award existed until this movie won one. (If you like to see inspiring movies, check out their website for past winners at camieawards.org)

This story, from the writer of "The Rookie", is inspired by real events in the life of a mentally-challenged man named Radio (Gooding Jr.), who won the heart of a high school football coach, (Harris) a South Carolina football team and eventually the town of Anderson, SC. The story explores how Radio overcomes his handicap and personal struggles through kindness and compassion from Coach Harold Jones.

Some people will find this too sentimental and cheesy. But if you like positive messages and stories of hope and overcoming adversity, you will love this movie, as I did.

Bouys my heart to watch a movie that spotlights compassion and understanding. Gives hope to the human race for knowing self fulfilling and greed are not paramount.

The picture deals with a mentally handicapped young man (Cuba Gooding) . He's taken under the wing a expert trainer (Ed Harris and married to forgotten Debra Winger) of a high school and takes deeply interest with him . He's nicknamed ¨Radio¨ because he likes listening the radio so much . In the beginning he suffers numerous jokes and misfortunes in charge of the team members but his goodness and kindness become him into a great inspiration for his community .

It's a brilliant and moving story , although being sometimes slow moving but relies heavily on the continued relation among them , but it doesn't make tiring . However , being amusing and entertaining , though overly sentimental . In the picture is developed some ethics and moral issues such as friendship , helpless youthful , familiar assistance.. ..narrated in nice sense of ductility and sensibility . Because the relationship between Radio and the town is ongoing , even up until the present day , the screenwriter choose to compress the highlights of the relationship to a one-year period . Cuba Gooding is terrific , he plays perfectly the severally mentally retarded young man , making a perceptible and enjoyable interpretation . In addition , Ed Harris acting as the good coach is top-notch . Sensational and awesome musical score by the great James Horner (Windtalkers , A beautiful mind) . Excellent cinematography by Don Burgess (Spiderman , Terminator 3) , he's Robert Zemeckis's usual cameraman . This film based on real deeds was well directed by Michael Tollin . Rating : Better than average . It's a winner for Cuba Gooding and Ed Harris fans .