The Air Up There (1994)

User Rating:

5.1/10   

Director:

Paul Michael Glaser

Writer (WGA):

Max Apple (written by)

Release Date:

7 January 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Sport

Plot:

Jimmy Dolan is a college basketball coach who wants a big promotion. To get it, he needs to make a dramatic find...

Plot Keywords:

Basketball | Africa | Sports Team

Cast

Kevin Bacon	...	Jimmy Dolan
Charles Gitonga Maina	...	Saleh
Yolanda Vazquez	...	Sister Susan
Winston Ntshona	...	Urudu
Mabutho 'Kid' Sithole	...	Nyaga
Sean McCann	...	Ray Fox
Dennis Patrick	...	Father O'Hara
Ilo Mutombo	...	Mifundo
Nigel Miguel	...	Halawi
Eric Menyuk	...	Mark Collins
Keith Gibbs	...	Buddy Wilson
Miriam Owiti	...	Beisa
Douglas Leboyare	...	Ikedo
Francis Mutei	...	St. George
Gibson Gathu Mbugua	...	Harimbo

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

South Korea:All | USA:PG (Certificate #32691) | Australia:PG | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Iceland:L | Spain:T | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Hollywood Pictures

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the story of his National Championship heroism, Jimmy Dolan refers to a play at the end of the fourth quarter of a game. College basketball is played in two halves, not in quarters.

Quotes:

[Sister Susan kisses Jimmy after his team wins]
Jimmy Dolan: Sister! You're allowed to kiss?
Sister Susan: [smiling] Only if I really mean it!

Movie Connections:

References JFK (1991)

Soundtrack:

WASHINGTON POST

Hoop dreams

Paul Michael Glasser's "The Air up There" is a fun film to watch, knowing full well what to expect. It doesn't break new barriers, or brings anything new to this type of film, but it is a totally harmless time in front of the television. Not having seen it in its commercial run, we had a chance to enjoy it the other night when it turned up on cable.

The best thing, as usual, going for this film is Kevin Bacon. Mr. Bacon makes anything he plays in an enjoyable experience. No matter what he does, he is totally believable, as is the case with his role as this coach, Jimmy Dolan, who will go to any extreme in order to get a good basket ball player for his team at Saint Joseph's.

His African journey gives Jimmy Dolan a first eye view of the poverty and hardship the young men in the remote village have to endure. He realizes the potential, especially in Saleh, the young man he wants to bring back to America.

Both Mr. Bacon and Charles Gitonga Maina, who plays Saleh, have an easy time together bonding in a hostile environment. Their inter action makes the film enjoyable. Also, the mostly unknown supporting cast compliment the movie.

Granted, this is a film to watch only for entertainment and to enjoy Kevin Bacon at his most charming self.