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Radio (2003)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Release Date:
24 October 2003 (USA)
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Tagline:
His courage made them champions.
Plot:
The story of a high school coach and the developmentally challenged man whom he took under his wing. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
3 wins
&
3 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(49 articles)
Movie Review: Pirate Radio (2009)
(From Rope Of Silicon. 13 November 2009, 1:18 AM, PST)
Exclusive Video: Pirate Radio Cast Interview Featurette
(From MovieWeb. 11 November 2009, 11:11 AM, PST)
(From Rope Of Silicon. 13 November 2009, 1:18 AM, PST)
Exclusive Video: Pirate Radio Cast Interview Featurette
(From MovieWeb. 11 November 2009, 11:11 AM, PST)
User Comments:
sentimental but hard to resist
more (185 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Cuba Gooding Jr. | ... | Radio | |
| Ed Harris | ... | Coach Jones | |
| Alfre Woodard | ... | Principal Daniels | |
| S. Epatha Merkerson | ... | Maggie | |
| Brent Sexton | ... | Honeycutt | |
| Chris Mulkey | ... | Frank | |
| Sarah Drew | ... | Mary Helen | |
| Riley Smith | ... | Johnny | |
| Patrick Breen | ... | Tucker | |
| Debra Winger | ... | Linda | |
| Bill Roberson | ... | Del | |
| Kenneth H. Callender | ... | Don | |
| Michael Harding | ... | Irv the Cop | |
| Charles Garren | ... | Clive | |
| Rebecca Koon | ... | Waitress |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG for mild language and thematic elements.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
109 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:L |
Brazil:12 |
Netherlands:AL |
South Korea:12 |
Argentina:13 |
Australia:PG |
Canada:PG |
Germany:o.Al. |
Norway:7 |
Singapore:PG |
Spain:T |
Sweden:7 |
UK:PG |
USA:PG (certificate #39542)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Goofs:
Continuity: When Coach Jones and Johnny are talking about telling Radio to go in the girls locker room, in one shot his collar on his shirt is sticking out, but in the next shot it is inside his jacket.
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Movie Connections:
Features "All in the Family" (1971)
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Soundtrack:
Behind Closed Doors
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (185 total)
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'Radio' tells the true life story of a high school football coach who befriends a severely mentally retarded young man (whom they nickname 'Radio' because he loves listening to the radio so much), lets him hang out with the team, and, thereby, changes not only the boy's life but the lives of just about everyone in the South Carolina town in which they live. When Radio's behavior on the sidelines begins to serve as a distraction during the games, some of the less sympathetic, die-hard football fans of the town make an effort to downplay his role or eliminate his presence altogether.
Set in 1976, 'Radio' is a thoroughly predictable, sentimental heart tugger that will have people either gagging on the syrup or crying in their popcorn. For all its heavy handed manipulation, however, 'Radio' turns out to be a pretty decent little film due, primarily, to the superb performances by Ed Harris and Cube Gooding Jr., and to the fact that the movie doesn't overplay its hand as often as it might. In fact, it wisely underplays much of the conflict, allowing the moments of quiet subtlety to predominate. As played by Harris, Coach Jones is a solid, decent, caring man who can't help but give his love to a fellow human being who needs it. Harris' soft-spoken strength makes us believe in the goodness of the man. The film does an effective job conveying the incredulous reactions of many of the otherwise well-meaning town folk, as even Radio's own mother asks Joe why he is doing what he's doing. The scenes between Jones and this woman, lovingly played by S. Epatha Merkerson, are some of the finest in the film. The movie also isn't afraid to confront the issue of whether the people of the town - and that includes Jones himself - aren't actually being patronizing towards Radio in their treatment of him, and whether he isn't more of a 'mascot' for the team than a bona fide member. Gooding Jr. slips effortlessly into the role of Radio, making him a compelling figure even though he has virtually no lines of dialogue in the movie. Alfre Woodard is excellent as the caring but nervous school principal who sees Radio's presence on campus as a potential threat to student safety, but who has enough faith in Jones to give Radio a chance to prove himself. It's nice to see Debra Winger in a movie again, although her role as Jones' ever-patient, ever-supportive wife, doesn't give her much room to strut her stuff as an actress.
There's no denying that 'Radio' is a humanity-of-man type film that could easily set the teeth on edge with its Goody Two Shoes philosophy of life. Be that as it may, 'Radio' turns out to be a warm, uplifting film that even Scrooge would probably like.