Hoop Dreams (1994)

A film following the lives of two inner-city Chicago boys who struggle to become college basketball players on the road to going professional.

Director:

Steve James

Writers:

Steve James, Frederick Marx

Stars:

William Gates, Arthur Agee, Emma Gates

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 22 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Gates	...	Self
Arthur Agee	...	Self
Emma Gates	...	Self - William's Mother
Curtis Gates	...	Self - William's Brother
Sheila Agee	...	Self - Arthur's Mother
Arthur 'Bo' Agee	...	Self - Arthur's Father
Earl Smith	...	Self - Talent Scout
Gene Pingatore	...	Self - High School Basketball Coach
Isiah Thomas	...	Self - Professional Basketball Player
Marlyn Hopewell	...	Self - High School Guidance Counselor (as Sister Marlyn Hopewell)
Bill Gleason	...	Self - Television Reporter
Patricia Weir	...	Self - President: Encyclopedia Brittanica
Marjorie Heard	...	Self - High School Guidance Counselor
Luther Bedford	...	Self - High School Basketball Coach
Aretha Mitchell	...	Self - High School Guidance Counselor

Storyline

This documentary follows two young African-Americans through their high school years as they perfect their skills in basketball in the hopes of getting a college scholarship and eventually play in the NBA. Arthur Agee and William Gates both show great potential and are are actively recruited as they look to enter high school. They start off at the same high school but unable to pay an unexpected bill for tuition fees, Arthur has to withdraw and go to the local public high school. The film follows them through their four years of high school and their trials and tribulations: injuries, slumps and the never ending battle to maintain their grades. Through it all, their hoop dreams continue.

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Plot Keywords:

basketball | athlete | national film registry | high school | college | 

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Taglines:

An Extraordinary True Story.

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Genres:

Documentary | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for drug content and some strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

When the film failed to be nominated for Best Documentary, even though it was nominated for Best Film Editing, Entertainment Weekly ran a story about how the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences selected documentary nominations. Most of the voting members were not documentary filmmakers, and many worked against nominating the film. As a result, the rules were changed to allow documentary filmmakers to vote in that category.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Announcer: Welcome to the 38th Annual NBA All Star game from Chicago Stadium.

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Crazy Credits

Thanks to Marshall High School and Coach Luther Bedford. This Chicago Public high school is dedicated to academic excellence for all its students. The Hoop Dreams Fund will be used to help Marshall's graduating seniors attend college.

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Connections

Referenced in At the Movies: The Quick and the Dead/Shallow Grave/The Jerky Boys: The Movie/Crumb (1995)

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Soundtracks

Fast Break
Written by Ben Sidran, Ricky Peterson & Tony Mosley
Featuring Tony Mosley (as Tony M.)
© 1993 Bulldog Music (ASCAP) & St. Paul Music (ASCAP)

User Reviews

A superb supporting "cast" powers this excellent film

"Hoop Dreams" brilliantly follows multiple parallel stories, bringing the viewer into the lives of two families of inner-city kids looking for a chance at the "big time", their ticket out of the ghetto. Although the main focus is on William Gates and Arthur Agee, their "supporting cast" is equally enthralling. From William's jaded brother Curtis, sublimating his own basketball aspirations to the reality of his blue-collar mailroom job, to Arthur's indomitable mom Sheila, doing the impossible every day as she keeps her troubled family together, there are a thousand reasons to cheer, laugh, cry, and rage packed throughout this amazing, inspirational, cautionary documentary.

By examining not only the players but also their families and environments, we are given a clearer view of their aspirations and motivations, what they plan to achieve and what they wish to avoid.

I will not summarize or elaborate further. If you have not seen this movie, put it on the short list. 9/10.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 October 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hoop Dreams

Filming Locations:

Cabrini Green Housing Complex, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$700,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,396, 16 October 1994

Gross USA:

$7,830,611

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,830,611

Company Credits

Production Co:

KTCA Minneapolis, Kartemquin Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

170 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1