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IMDbPro

Blue Chips

  • 19941994
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
14K
YOUR RATING
Blue Chips (1994)
Watch ’Trailer’
Play trailer2:22
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Sport
A college basketball coach is forced to break the rules in order to get the players he needs to stay competitive.A college basketball coach is forced to break the rules in order to get the players he needs to stay competitive.A college basketball coach is forced to break the rules in order to get the players he needs to stay competitive.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
14K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • William Friedkin
  • Writer
    • Ron Shelton
  • Stars
    • Nick Nolte
    • Mary McDonnell
    • J.T. Walsh
Top credits
  • Director
    • William Friedkin
  • Writer
    • Ron Shelton
  • Stars
    • Nick Nolte
    • Mary McDonnell
    • J.T. Walsh
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 32User reviews
    • 21Critic reviews
    • 54Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:22
    Trailer

    Photos105

    Shaquille O'Neal in Blue Chips (1994)
    Nick Nolte and Shaquille O'Neal in Blue Chips (1994)
    Nick Nolte and Shaquille O'Neal in Blue Chips (1994)
    Nick Nolte and Shaquille O'Neal in Blue Chips (1994)
    Nick Nolte and Shaquille O'Neal in Blue Chips (1994)
    Nick Nolte and Shaquille O'Neal in Blue Chips (1994)
    Nick Nolte and Shaquille O'Neal in Blue Chips (1994)
    Nick Nolte in Blue Chips (1994)
    Nick Nolte in Blue Chips (1994)
    Blue Chips (1994)
    Blue Chips (1994)
    Larry Bird and Matt Nover in Blue Chips (1994)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Nick Nolte
    Nick Nolte
    • Pete Bellas Pete Bell
    Mary McDonnell
    Mary McDonnell
    • Jenny Bellas Jenny Bell
    J.T. Walsh
    J.T. Walsh
    • Happyas Happy
    Ed O'Neill
    Ed O'Neill
    • Edas Ed
    Alfre Woodard
    Alfre Woodard
    • Lavada McRaeas Lavada McRae
    Bob Cousy
    Bob Cousy
    • Vicas Vic
    Shaquille O'Neal
    Shaquille O'Neal
    • Neonas Neon
    Penny Hardaway
    • Butch McRaeas Butch McRae
    • (as Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway)
    Matt Nover
    Matt Nover
    • Ricky Roeas Ricky Roe
    Cylk Cozart
    • Slickas Slick
    Anthony C. Hall
    • Tonyas Tony
    Kevin Benton
    Kevin Benton
    • Jackas Jack
    Bill Cross
    • Freddieas Freddie
    Marques Johnson
    • Melas Mel
    Robert Wuhl
    Robert Wuhl
    • Martyas Marty
    Bobby Knight
    Bobby Knight
    • Bobby Knightas Bobby Knight
    Rick Pitino
    Rick Pitino
    • Rick Pitinoas Rick Pitino
    • (as Richard Pitino)
    George Raveling
    • George Ravelingas George Raveling
    • Director
      • William Friedkin
    • Writer
      • Ron Shelton
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the scene where Bob Cousy shoots baskets, he was told to just keep shooting them as he talks to Nick Nolte, regardless of whether the baskets went in or not. But Cousy never missed, prompting Nolte to ad-lib his reaction.
    • Goofs
      Algiers, Louisiana was portrayed as being in a rural setting. Algiers is actually an urban neighborhood in the 15th Ward of New Orleans.
    • Quotes

      Pete Bell: You know, some place in America right now, there's some 10-year-old kid. He's out there on that playground, and he's playing, he's dribbling between his legs, he's going left, he's going right, he's already above the rim, and he's stuffing it home. And you know what's going to happen to this kid? Five minutes from now he's gonna be surrounded by ya. Agents, corporate sponsors, and coaches, I mean, people like me just drooling over this kid because he holds our future employment in his hands. I mean, that's what we made this game. That's what we've done. You know, the best coaching job I ever did, that wasn't tonight, it was last season. When we were 14-15 and we had a losing season, but goddammit, those kids gave me their heart! They gave me everything they had, they played up to the MAXIMUM of their ability! They gave it everything, and it wasn't good enough! Wasn't good enough for me, wasn't good enough for you, wasn't good enough for anybody! That's pathetic. I mean, it's really pathetic. I've become what I despise. I cheated my profession, cheated myself, I cheated basketball. There's two words I didn't think would ever come out of my mouth, I didn't think I'd ever be able to say... I quit.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: The Getaway/Blank Check/My Girl 2 (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Baby, Please Don't Go
      by Big Joe Williams (as Joe Williams)

      Performed and produced by Nile Rodgers

    User reviews32

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Deserves more attention!
    Nick Nolte plays a college University basketball coach forced to break the rules in order to stay competitive. He deals with guilt and struggles internally with something he has always been against.

    What a surprise Blue Chips was, expecting a below par sports movie (based on reviews) but found a thought provoking and entertaining 110 minutes. To begin with it hits the normal sports movie beats but just when you think the drama is going one way, suddenly it doesn't and that only adds realism to the action.

    William Friedkin does an excellent job in creating a tense and real life atmosphere, almost documentary style at least during the game-play scenes that makes you feel fully immersed. It's clear Friedkin and co have thoroughly researched this area and you get a sense of that while watching. The use of real life Basketball players and coaches adds to the authenticity.

    During the drama the film deals with the shady dealings that no doubt goes on in American sports at college level (It's a massive deal, where careers and futures are made). A story of greed, cheating and pressure to win. Nolte is great in the role and gets to show off his soft side while also providing his well known manic style. Blue Chips really is an under-rated film although not perfect it deserves to be more well known.
    helpful•4
    0
    • RaoulGonzo
    • Apr 6, 2017

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 18, 1994 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Азартна гра
    • Filming locations
      • Frankfort Senior High School - 1 S. Maish Road, Frankfort, Indiana, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $23,070,663
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $10,123,605
      • Feb 21, 1994
    • Gross worldwide
      • $23,070,663
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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