Since winning an Academy Award for his exuberant performance in
Jerry Maguire, Cuba Gooding Jr. has gotten little but static from critics for a spate of calamitous career choices not seen since '80s-vintage Burt Reynolds. But he triumphantly returns to Oscar-worthy status with his moving performance as Radio, a mentally challenged young man, whom South Carolina high school football coach Harold Jones (Ed Harris) takes under his nurturing wing. This does not play well with the school's patient but questioning principal (Alfre Woodard); the school's biggest athletic booster, who views Radio as a distraction; the man's son, the team's star player, who plays cruel pranks on the trusting Radio; and the Coach's teenage daughter, who feels neglected. Almost all will be won over by Radio's trusting and good nature. Based on a
Sports Illustrated story,
Radio was adapted for the screen by Mike Rich, screenwriter of
The Rookie, and as in that superior family film, the heroics are mostly off the field. As Coach says, with all the subtlety of a blitz, "We're not the ones been teaching Radio; he's the one been teaching us." The ending, in which we see the actual Radio, still cheering his team on 26 years later, will melt the most cynical hearts.
--Donald Liebenson
1 A great movie
I saw a short preview, and thought that it was about high school football, similar to 'Remember the Titans.' After I viewed it in the cinema with some family members, we were all silent. It tugs at the heartstrings. Gooding Jr.'s role must have required A LOT of talent, because talent showed through. Ed Harris fits his role to the T. Highly reccommended.
2 Dumb Movie!
This movie is dumb because Radio gets picked on and i did not like that. I also didn`t like when his mom died. Thats all i have to say.
3 Spotlight on Radio
Radio has been one of the saddest movies I have ever saw. It made me cry so much that my eyes were bloodshot red. I think everyone should watch this movie children and adults.
In this movie there are many people starring in this movie but the main character was Cuba Gooding Jr. He was a mentally challenged high school student who really didn't have that many people to depend on besides his mother. He loved the game football and would stay by the feild everyday after school with his radio in his shopping cart to watch the football players play football. Everyone didn't treat him the way he was supposed to be treated but that all changed quickly.
He lost his mother and need some help because he didn't have any other family members near by. His coach heard about that and took him in without any regrets. Radio showed him that he should care for all people. The coach let him participate in the game he loved so much and that meant alot to him. After everyone took notice of how nice and generous he was they treated him alot different. They treated him as if he was like everyone else and he loved it.
The purpose of this movie was to show that no matter how the person is or who the person is they should be treated like a person not a thing. One thing I can say about this movie was that it showed that people can be nice and people can be mean but if you show them how u act they might treat you a lot different. Radio was a kid who didn't have that many friends but at the end of the movie he was popular everyone loved him.
I suggest that everyone that has someone in your school,neighborhood,job or maybe even church should watch this movie. Trust me it can teach you so much. It can also help you see that not everyones perfect. Really it's not finding a perfect person but being able to see an imperfect person perfectly.
4 Mawkish and insipid
Cuba's performance is an embarrassment, and the script is so laden with well-meaning platitudes that it grows nauseating after a while. I felt bad for Gooding; he really seemed desperate for another Oscar nomination, and to my eyes he seemed to be trying way too hard. Toward the end it gets so sugary sweet I felt my teeth begin to ache.
Unless you're easily manipulated by cheap sentiment, or are a sucker for "inspiring" true stories, then stay far away. I had to turn off this movie several times and walk away, just to control my gag reflex, it was so bad. I'm amazed people are giving it such good reviews...but then, there are people who will praise anything.
5 Very funny but in questionable taste.
I think we all have laughed at the expense of retards before, it sure is fun AND easy but sometimes it makes us feel less than perfect about ourselves. I feel the same way about this film. It was hard not to laugh when Radio was tied up but as a father to a retarded son I couldn't help but to feel bad about my laughter.
So as a comedy it gets the job done but if you want to feel good about yourself afterwards I recomend Mel Brooks' Spaceballs
6 Touching
I am quit young but i wnet to see radio with my school and it was so sad how they tied him up and put him in the shed and when the coach found him he was crying i think radio is agot to see film he is mentally broken down but his mum looks after him but when she dies he just gets really bad andyou really feel sorry for him when it had finished all the girls were crying it is just so deep most people make fun of people who are mentally ill but i look at them and see things they can do things you wouldnt expect them to be able to do .So Radio is a defent got to see movie.
7 Great Movie!
This is a good family movie, which shows how wonderful it is when tough guys choose to be tender and unselfish. There was little swearing, not much. We loved it!
8 No
It gets 1 star for the teeth, represent for black people properly Cuba, it's foul.
9 sentimental but hard to resist
"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, diehard 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.
10 Usual Story But With Unusual People.
RADIO is one of those feel-good movies about a group of people who overcome prejudice and learn to live and work together in harmony. It's a true story loosely based on the real-life relationship between high school football coach Harold Jones and James Robert Kennedy, affectionally named Radio because of his love for the electronic communication gadgets. The movie explores how the relationship between Radio (Cuba Gooding Jr.) and Jones (Ed Harris) begins, grows, and develops over the years and how Radio overcomes his natural tendancies to become a local hero.
Gooding and Harris are excellent in their roles and both probably deserved Oscar nominations for their performances. Unfortunately, most critics blasted the movie for its syrupy sentiment and some claimed it was a racist film stereotyping blacks as being dumb and stupid (a criticism I never understood because the movie is all about overcoming racism and stereotypes). Anyway, the acting in the film is good, but the movie is overly cliched and drags on too long in certain places. However, the story is a good one and the relationship between Radio and Coach Jones is fascinating. I think the movie would have been stronger if it had focused solely on their relationship and not so much on how the other people of the town. An average yarn, but one that is enjoyable to watch.
11 Excellent Film!
As father of a severely autistic boy, I enjoyed very much Cuba Gooding Junior's portrail of a developmentally disabled man who just wanted to be part of a community. Gooding's character becomes mascot of the town high school football team, as he gains acceptance from the team, he still has to battle with the stereotypes of the conservative towns folk who think this "freak" has no place in our town.
Good study of human nature the best and the worst too!!
Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"
12 A little slow, but a real winner
I consider myself very diverse when it comes to movies. I like slashers and I like musicals, all the same, as long as they are entertaining. I have got to say I was very entertained by Radio. It has great storytelling and wonderful acting. It was slow at parts, but I think that actually helped it feel more "real" since it is based on a true story. This movie can have you crying from grief, then crying from laughter withing 5 minutes of each other. Most impressively, it's a film you can watch with the whole family, and that's a rarity today. If you need to just get away for a couple hours and feel better about the world, I would recommend this movie.
13 I'm Speachless...
Words can't possibly describe the heartwarming value of this movie. Cuba Gooding Jr. plays an African-American teenage boy with Down Syndrome, under the alias "Radio" on account of his large radio collection. He is tormented by some highschool football players who tied his hands, and locked him in a shed for taking their ball (without knowing it was theirs). The coach sees Radio around that area often, and gives him a job helping him with his duties. The coach even convinces the Principal of the Highschool to let Radio attend school. But once the team was going on a trip to play somewhere, but the principal wouldn't let Radio go with them. Heartbroken; Radio practices kicking a football in the rain. He finally makes a decent kick, and it regains his confidence. A while later, Radio's mother dies of a heart attack. The coach let's Radio stay with him. The football team, and the entire school finally opens up to Radio. Radio kept playing with the football team even after fifty years.
In Conclusion: This is definatly a film for the entire family; even if your kids are too young to understand everything, they will learn the values of accepting other people who are different.
14 An Excellent Movie
I saw this movie when it was released in the theatres...and I must admit, the movie is excellent! The storytelling is truly well done, especially since this is the true story of a young man with Autism (Yes, Radio is autistic, not mentally disturbed or some-such). The showing of what folks with autism are like is a lot more realistic than in some of the latest movies like it. I would recommend this movie to anyone.
15 TOUCHING! THEY DID HIM WRONG AT FIRST!
I THINK THIS MOVIE IS WONDERFUL!
I DON'T KNOW WHY SOME OF THE FOOTBALL PLAYERS WERE SO MEAN!
I HATE WHAT THAT BOY DID TO RADIO!(GIRL'S LOCKER ROOM)
WHEN THEY LOCKED HIM IN THE SHED AND IN JAIL IT WAS SAD!
WELL, I WON'T GIVE TOO MUCH AWAY!
5 STAR MOVIE *****
16 Heartwarming
As a father of a disabled child, I identified with many of the situations in this film and found myself in tears on several occasions. The film is also one of the few a family can watch without embarrassing nudity or vile language. Excellent family film with good character values taught, but without being preachy. Highly recommended for the whole family.
17 FINALLY A GREAT MOVIE WITHOUT SEX OR VIOLENCE
Not that I don't mind a good sex/violence movie, but this was one I could watch with my child and not have to cover his eyes every few minutes. Being from the town where most of the movie was filmed (Walterboro, SC), having graduated from Clemson University, and having grown up 15 miles from Anderson, SC....I do admit I am a little biased about this movie but it really was WONDERFUL. A great Friday-night-make-popcorn-with-the-family type of film. TOTALLY ENJOYED and am keeping my copy forever!
18 Radio.
I would give this 5 stars and 4 boxes of hankies.
In an age of movies with CG characters, special effects, and explosives....Radio is a breath of fresh air. It shows you do not need all of those things if the story teller is good at their job. This is the case here. All involved are excellent story tellers. This is a simple and powerfullly emotional film about a mentaly challenged man and the football coach who reached out and befriended him. It is a true story and Radio is still coaching 30 years later. It is a movie that teaches us the lessons of tolerance and respect. It is one of those very rare movies that you can sit down with the whole family and watch. Cuba turns in an incrediable performance especially considering that he has very few lines in the movie. If you thought his performance in Men of Honor was incrediable, then you will enjoy this. I saw it right after my husband got through watching the super bowl. When I came in I heard the announcer say those football players showed incredible spirit. Radio is the one who shows that, not over paid football players. This movie is so powerfull I went out and brought it so I can watch it again and again. And when my nephew gets old enough, I will sit him down and watch this movie with him and tech him about tolerance. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this 100.
19 half hour movie
Remember the Titans Reprise. The tedious scenes cut off at odd moments and move too far ahead in the future to gain any personal connection with "radio". Many scenes should have been left on the cutting room floor. I would have enjoyed this movie had it been on television during a 20/20 segment. If you liked remember the titans and need another sports movie with a classic rock soundtrack....
20 Yanks at heartstrings
and with too much force. It's a slow, tedious movie. The acting is good, but it moves to slow. For a better movie, try "Remember the Titans"
21 Tugs too hard
Radio tug too hard on the hhard strings, and comes out a long, tedious movie. Good actors wasted. A better movie is "Remember the Titans."
22 Radio is a very good movie!
I must admit I saw this movie about 3 or 4 times in school this year and I really like this movie! It's about this boy Radio who is a boy and he has this basket that he strolls around with everyday and then he meets this Coach and helps out with Coach Jones and stuff with the football team. Well, I don't really wanna give away all the details of the movie! All I'm saying is that it's a good funny, and sad movie. I HIGHLY reccomend that you BUY this movie today! 100% great movie!!!!
23 Fans of ' Family ' Films Shouldn't Miss It
I enjoyed many parts of this film. It is not perfect by far. There are a lot of slow areas that weigh the movie down. The film didn't properly focus on its lead character but more on the actual football games. We needed to see more about Radio. We needed to see how he took care of himself when his mother died, how he felt towards Coach Jones ( not just that he seemed to like him because he gave him footballs and radios ). We needed to see how Radio really thought of the players, and being taken from his life of solitude and forced into the small spotlight as a town's precious ' gift '. I realize its hard to condense a real life story into a short movie but the director could have tried better. Instead of getting the story of a disabled black man we get " Rain Man " vs. " All The Right Moves ". Sometbing was missing here. That missing addition was probably the cause of Radio not getting more attention in theaters or from awards shows.
Cuba is a fantastic actor but I saw this role as going backwards for him. Since Jerry Maguire he seems afraid to shine again. In ' Radio ' he didn't seem to be playing James Kennedy as much as he was doing his best Dustin Hoffman impression. He was believable and Cuba is talented but there was something else missing. Ed Harris was dry but kept the film moving. The football scenes took up the film when Radio should have been focused on more. Debra Winger was wasted. I don't know why she took such an unnoticable role. Maybe she wanted to be a part of something she thought would become a great film. Radio is good, touching and very sad at times but it has a lot to learn about standing on its own as a family classic.
I recommend this film to fans of family films. Others may not recognize the small charm in Radio. If you bore easily or family movies are not your thing you may want to skip it. But if you're a Cuba Gooding fan, this is one you'd want just for the heck of it. Radio has its faults but stands above some of Hollywood's recent ' big hits ' by far. And in my book will be around a lot longer for years to come.
24 I WISH RADIO HAD BEEN HIT BY THE TRAIN IN THE OPENING SCENE
This movie is easily one of the most boring movies I have ever seen. "Radio" is your typical movie that is supposed to make people feel better about themselves after watching it because they pity a disadvantaged person. The film is so sugar-coated it could make you diabetic - and did I mention predictable? I doubt anyone will be shocked when Radio:
- gets mistreated by the police
- gets mistreated by his peers
- suffers a personal tragedy
- overcomes adversity and bigotry to emerge a community hero!
I don't care if it's "based on a true story", nobody's life follows hollywood stereotypes and cliches this closely. But wait! There is one surprise: ***SPOLIER ALERT!*** The team loses the football season! Half-way through the film. That's right, althought the tagline is "His Courage Made them Champions", Radio never makes anyone the champion of anything! Team after team fails to win, even with Radio as their "aren't we nice to include the retarded guy and laugh at him while we do it" mascot. I was ready for Ed Harris to have the Gatorade dumped all over him by a victory-crazed Radio, but alas, I was to be denied that scene.
In short, this movie is awful, but I guess if you liked "Pay It Forward" (which I imagine is just as sappy and bad) or other such sentimental crap, then this is the movie for you! Otherwise it will just make you want to die.
25 great story, gret acting, feel good afterwards
Cuba Gooding is so good at his role in this movie, and the stroy just gets better and better...it is amazing to think that it is abased on a true stroy, i really enjoyed the football aspect of it with my husband and he showed his tender side watching this film with me, its a great buy
26 Feel Good Movie!
"Radio" is just a really warm, tear-jerking film. I couldn't help but have a good feeling watching it and the performances by Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ed Harris are fantastic! It was also nice to see Deborah Winger in a movie, again. This is true story about the friendship between a high school football coach(Harris) and Radio, a young developmentally challenged young man (Gooding Jr.)he befriends after seeing him hanging around the practice football field and being taunted by the school football players. The friendship stands up to alot of outside pressure by the school and the community in general who doesn't understand Radio and who feel he would be better off away from the school and the other students. I really enjoyed this film. It is amazing what the power of love, friendship, and understanding can do! I would recommend this movie to anyone!
27 A Must See Movie
Even if you are not into football, which this film focuses on quite a lot considering Ed Harris is the local hometown hero coach. This is a more of a human relationship story than a football story. "Radio" was based on a true person's life story. If you get nothing else out of this movie, though that's not likely, I hope it's the quote by Ed Harris, "We want to treat each other half as good as he treats everyone of us." This is so true. This mentally challenged person known as Radio teaches the community what is and should be important. The story is moving on so many levels. The coach's family, the bond he has with Radio and why he did it. A sports jock and all too familiar scene learns that Radio is not the problem his father wants him to be. This is just a great movie that will make your emotions run the gammit. Brilliant!
28 Radio: Heartwarming But Predictable
This film, starring Ed Harris and Cuba Gooding Jr, tells the story of a mentally retarded South Carolina boy called Radio(Gooding) who is taken in by a local high school football coach named Harold Jones(Harris). Though Jones' compassion towards the boy will melt the hearts of some, others may be put off by the rather predictable ending. Halfway through the film I already knew that someone would try to get rid of Radio becasue of his differences. Predictable films are an unfortunate trend.
29 Heartwarming and Heartfelt
Sappy, yes.... Sentimental, yes.... Contrived, yes --- but still a wonderful, feel-good, and inspirational movie.
Cuba Gooding was outstanding as Radio, a mentally challenged young man. If I had not known the actor who was playing this role, I would never have recognized him! Ed Harris plays to perfection the football coach who mentors Radio and allows him to be a part of the team. This gives Radio a focus that had been lacking in his life, through no fault of his own.
After seeing the movie, I found the "Sports Illustrated" article that inspired it and I was equally touched. It is a wonderful story of a special young man and those people whose patience and kindness make his life better and allow him to blossom and feel a sense of purpose.
30 A Kind Heart Can Soften Hard Hearts
What director Michael Tollin has created in this movie, Radio, is a tale of innocence, affability, and kindness overcoming cynicism, callousness, and indifference. The title character, nicknamed Radio, played by Cuba Gooding Jr. is the youngest son of his widowed mother. He also happens to be mentally retarded. Set in 1976 in Anderson, South Carolina, the story itself begins well into Radio's life, at the age of seventeen. Because Radio's mother has to go it alone, she is forced to work endless hours in order to keep her head above water. Consequently, Radio is left to fend for himself each day for most of the day; yet, he is able to cope through it by keeping busy. Every day, he embarks on a daily journey through town with his trusty shopping cart and a few choice possessions to boot. Of particular interest to him is his radio of course, which if isn't already obvious, is his favorite possession.
For years, Radio has walked along the same path, passing the same places everyday. Along Radio's daily travels is T.L Hanna High School. For years, Radio has passed by the school with little interest or attention given him by the faculty, staff, or students. Football season rolls around, and by twist of fate, Radio is put into a situation where he is noticed by the players and especially the coach, Harold Jones. Jones becomes intrigued with Radio, and goes out of his way to be kind him. Eventually, Coach Jones takes him under his wing, giving Radio an opportunity to help the team. Before long, Jones develops a bond with Radio and begins looking out for him as if Radio were his own son. With his newfound daily routine, Radio begins to gain some popularity and has a renewed sense of purpose.
However, no one else is quite as taken with Radio as Coach Jones is at first. In fact, since Radio is truly different than most other "normal" people, he is seen as a freak by many. For the most part, Radio is able to disassociate himself from the malignant mistreatment he's gotten; but it is in these instances that examples of despicable, yet commonly familiar societal behaviors are played out before you. The dark and unkind side of human nature that is manifested in acts of mockery, marginalization, spitefulness, selfishness, contention, hate, impatience, and downright intolerance stare you right in the face. This movie has many scenes that should bring up memories to all of us who've witnessed or been involved in an appalling or inappropriate situation where we looked the other way and did nothing; a situation where we should've had the nerve or courage to do the right thing and take a stand against a particular wrongdoing.
Coach Jones is a man of principle however, and he takes that stand indomitably. Radio's presence is not appreciated by some very influential people, and although Coach Jones gets a great deal of grief because of Radio, he is unflinching and stands firm in sticking up for him. At one point, Jones finally comes clean and tells of a time when, as a boy, he regretfully did not help someone in need. His actions with Radio are a largely influenced by the haunting guilt that he'd carried throughout his life because of this inaction as a boy. He had carried that guilt for so long that when he saw in Radio an opportunity to be free of remorse for his inaction, he instinctively acted on it. This childhood event and the subsequent feelings that Coach Jones lived through as a boy seems to be largely responsible for his Luke 10:30-37 heart, strong sense of benevolence, and integrity. Indeed, to coach Jones, Radio represents an opportunity for redemption.
The beauty of the story though, is in how it reveals that kindness and love are the only way to counter and rise above darkness and negativity. Only light can extinguish darkness. While there are several characters that throughout the story represent the dark side of human nature, Radio's character, without question, represents the goodness and the light. It is his genuine enthusiasm, his pure and childlike innocence, his compassionate heart, and his benevolent spirit that shines magnificently. This story is an important lesson that should remind us of the value and dignity of every human life.
For those interested, the true story of James Robert Kennedy, or "Radio," and his relationship with Coach Harold Jones of T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson, S.C., is depicted in a 1996 Sports Illustrated article by Gary Smith. That piece has been reprinted in the book, "Beyond the Game: The Collected Sports writing of Gary Smith."
31 I admit it....
Okay, I admit it - I liked it.
It was funny, heartfelt, and involved two wonderful actors. I was seriously impressed by Cuba's actualization of Radio. He simply became the man.
Its not quite a "feel good" movie in the same way Rudy is though, this one was different.
A few times you got that sinking feeling in your chest and stomach as you anticipated stereotypical behavior towards mentally challenged individuals in our communities are persecuted. You even cry once or twice.
Its not a sad move though - and as I said, its not really a feel good movie either. Instead it is was it is:
A true story.
32 Radio - A Movie for both the Heart and Mind
Screenwriter Mike Rich and Columbia Tri-Star Pictures have created an outstanding sociological drama that speaks to the point of unconditional love for our fellow man and leaves us rooting for the underdog. The driving force and inspiration for making such a movie comes from the real life relationship of Harold Jones (Ed Harris), a high school football coach in South Carolina and James Kennedy, a mentally challenged young man fondly nicknamed Radio (Cuba Gooding Jr.). This odd pairing coupled with the conflicts that arise from the varying views of the people within their little township are the catalysts that draw the viewer in and teaches us something about ourselves.
This film merits four stars out of five due largely to its? ability to make us rethink the way we view people in our society that are deemed "outside of the norm" and the strong acting performance given by Cuba Gooding Jr. His achievement in capturing Radio?s indomitable spirit serves as an important source for the enjoyment you will experience as you open your heart and mind to this gem of a movie. One can see how well he has done this when we are introduced to the real Radio in action on the football field of his beloved high school as the credits run following the end of the movie.
33 Wonderfully inspiring and amazing job CUBA!!!
When people told me that this movie was fantastic, I did not know that they meant FANTASTIC!
It was everything people told me it was and so much more.
This movie will make you laugh, cry, and just feel good. The acting in this film is nothing short of amazing and I am extremely upset that Cuba did not get a nomination for it. He was great. He makes it hard to believe that he is not that way in the real life. The fact that he played that character just blows my mind because it was that good.
Although, there are many sad moments in this film, the funny and inspirational parts make up for it.
34 Will Melt Your Heart
Although not critically acclaimed, "Radio" is a wonderful heartwarming story based on the true life of James Robert "Radio" Kennedy of Anderson, South Carolina. Circa 1976, Radio (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), a mentally challenged man, walks daily pass the local high school football field. With his mother working most of the time Radio is left to wonder the streets by himself during the day. Coach Harold Jones (Ed Harris) takes notice of him and offers him the opportunity to work with the football team. Radio, who gets his nickname for his love of radios, becomes a permanent fixture of the Hanna High football team in practice, on the sideline and with the cheerleading squad. Like any story of this nature the mentally challenged Radio brings life, love and kindness into the hearts of all those he touches. Also like any story of this nature there are those who see Radio as a distraction and a problem. In the end Radio becomes an honorary graduate of Hanna High and of his choosing remains a student of the 11th grade indefinitely. The conclusion of the film will introduce the real Radio 26 years later still leading the Hanna High Yellow jackets onto the field. Cuba Gooding, Jr. gives an Oscar winning performance.
35 Turn the Radio On
"Radio," pulls all the right strings. And the beauty of it is, it's a straightforward telling of a story, a well-written screenplay from writer Mike Rich, that leaves all indications that no strings are actually pulled. It will draw a damp eye from the most jaded of movie viewers, without ever seeming to pander to the emotions. "Radio," as a movie inspired by a true story, is an inspiration in itself. As a reviewer I don't toss out 5-star ratings like candy. For me, "Radio," is the real deal.
With the DVD we get to hear director's Mike Tollin explanation of the 3 levels of movies reflecting true life stories. There is the movie that is a true life story, the movie that is based on a true life stories (some liberties taken), and then the movie that is inspired (much more liberties taken). "Radio," falls in the "inspired category and it plays out well. The dramatic freedoms the film creation team took with the story based on South Carolina High School football with real life coach Harold Jones and Robert "Radio" Kennedy rings true.
Ed Harris, Debra Winger (usually irritating to me, but not here), and Cuba Gooding Jr. turn in fine performances but none topped by Gooding's portrayal of Radio. I would say Gooding turns in a better performance than that played in Jerry McGuire which of course won him an Oscar.
Watch "Radio." Go get the DVD. You'll be harkened back to film making that gets it right, that tells a story pure and simple, that focuses on the human souls and connections made in the human condition. "Radio," won't disappoint.
--MMW
36 Oscar Worthy?
No, this movie wasn't nominated for an Oscar but it should have been. Has Ed Harris every done a better job in a movie besides his effortless role in The Hours? He hit the nail right on the head with this one. I have never seen an actor grip the screen like he did. Alfre Woodward was excellent as usuall as the principal who questioned Ed Harris' character of becoming close friends with Radio. She far excceded her role in this movie than her last role in The Core. Last but certainly not least Cuba Gooding Jr. as Radio. Who honestly could have played that role any better? He made me laugh, almost cry, and feel pretty sad for the way he was treated in the beginning and all around good for the kindness that he showed to people who really wasn't that nice to him. Also, the actor's/actress' who played Ed Harris' daughter,wife, and assistant coach were good too. And lets not forget the actor who played the football player who wasn't very nice to Radio in the beginning and his father as well. WATCH RADIO IT IS TRULY A HEARTWARMER BECAUSE IT TEACHES EVERYONE HOW THEY SHOULD ACT TWARDS PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT. THIS MOVIE IS TRULY OSCAR WORTHY.
37 Radio is an inspiration
Cuba Gooding Jr. was incredible in this movie. Although we never find out exactly which particular disability Radio has, it doesn't really matter. The movie shows the amazing things that can happen when you look at others with your heart instead of just your eyes. As the mom of a child with autism, I understand why Radio's mom was skeptical of the Coach's intentions but it's so good to see that there really are good people out there who accept and celebrate the differences in everyone!
38 ABSOLUTELY FEEL-GOOD MOVIE!!!
This movie is definitely 2 thumbs and 2 big toes UP!
I just don't understand why some folks did not like this movie. I guess they were the type who picked on that under-dog in school!
This movie IS based on a true story, which makes it even that much more heart-warming.
I won't spoil it for you... rent it. You will not regret it!
39 Simply Wonderful
I first judged this movie from the previews, writing it off as just another hokey football movie. Then I rented it, and completely changed my mind. Here I was expecting a cheesy movie, and instead I got a heart-warming story (that's inspired by a true story!) and a handful of great performances, especially from Gooding, an actor that can seriously play any part he wants to because he's truly talented.
Gooding plays James Robert Kennedy, a guy who is a bit slower than most with a heart bigger than the town he lives in. He spends his days pushing a shopping cart around town, filled with his findings and of course his little radio. He gets the nickname "Radio" from the local high school football coach (played by the magnificent Ed Harris), who lets him help out during the practices and games after a few of his players torment Radio. You may think that the coach just feels sorry for Radio, but you'll learn otherwise as the film progresses, revealing that sometimes people are nice just for the sake of being nice.
This truly is a treasure of a movie, one that has no right to be written off as "cheesy" as I once did. See this movie and you'll certainly be happy that you aren't missing out on a great piece of cinema!
40 Great Family Film/Best Football Flick Ever
Cynics HATE this film. It has nothing smug, hip or destructive to say about the human condition. Instead, it is a life-affirming treatise on the redemptive power of love, and of the vital importance of the commandment to love thy neighbor as thyself.
It is also the finest football film ever made, and I have seen them all. I have been coaching football since 1974, and have suffered as a film buff through some truly awful football "action" sequences along the way. There is not one false note in any of the references to football in "Radio" -- games, practices, or pre-game pep talks. The director, writer and cast get it all just right.
Cuba Gooding, Jr. delivers an amazing performance as a severely retarded black man in South Carolina who is befriended by a white high school football coach who worships at the altar of Bear Bryant. Along the way, an entire town learns to open up to this strange, frightening man and to respond to his gift of unconditional love.
I own the film on DVD, and give it my highest recommendation without reservation. The special features are excellent, dwelling not only on the writing and making of the film, but on the real "Radio" and his ongoing relationship with a coach, a school, and a town.
41 Who cares???
What was the point of this movie? Why would someone make a film about this? Why did I waste my time watching Cuba walking around with a shopping cart and get befriended by a high school football coach. I sat and watched this with little enthusiasm and was completely bored to tears by the time he got his Christmas gifts. This was a wishy-washy, feel good, isn't it nice to be alive type movies that is sugar coated with enough cotton candy to give the viewer cavaties with it's sweetness.
I don't ever care to watch this again. Not all true stories are meant to be made into movies. This was almost as sappy as 'Rudy'.
42 Good Overall
This was a good movie, but not great. It may be good for a backup movie, when the networks are only showing reruns.
The title is misleading. When I first saw it, I thought of something like "Frequency", "Broadcast News" or even "Contact". A better title might be "We Call Him Radio" or "His Name is Radio".
This is one of those based-on-a-true-story that is probably much closer to the truth than most. Many end up being a glamorized version of reality. This movie seems to be very realistic. Completely believable, which adds to its charm.
For the acting and the end goal, I would easily give it five stars. However, because of entertainment expectations from movies, for good and bad, I can only give it four stars. Still, an inspiring movie that makes you want to set your priorities straight.
43 Inspiring for anyone
This was a movie to remember. It was so inspiring to my friends and I. The movie tells about how cruel white people were to the colored. It was a very emotional but an inspiring movie to all ages. Buy the movie you will absoutely love it!!!!
44 Good Coffee
I didn't know what to expect when I first heard about this movie. What I discovered is that Radio is a movie with a lot of heart that held my interest and is based on a true story. Cuba Gooding and Ed Norton turn in fine performances which are made more meaningful when you see the actual people during the final credits. This is a movie that is suitable for people of all ages and well worth purchasing.
45 a sappy, happy, feel-good time
ahhhhhhh. that is how i will begin this review. i went into this movie trying my hardest to like it, and i didn't. i was sorely disappointed by a movie that could have been so much more than just a sap-fest. this movie is one of the most predictiable movies i have seen in a long time. i knew what was going to happen before it did, and i was disappointed that i was correct.
the performances in this movie are for the most part, right on. ed harris plays a coach whose whole life is the game of football, while cuba gooding jr. plays a lovable character with a developmental disability. both of these actors are very good in their roles, but their parts could have been written so much better! instead of true emotions this movie goes straight for the water-works and fake-emotion department. they go for sap instead of character development.
with this being said, i will also emphasize this; "radio" is a movie that would be great for a family to watch (i just happen to be a bachelor who loves movies). their if very little to be sqeemish about, and little to worry about your children seeing. it is a movie that is great for the whole family. but, if you aren't looking for that in a movie, i suggest something different, such as "lost in translation" or "the station agent" (when it comes onto dvd).
46 Deeply Disappointed
I am a lifelong fan of the highly under-appreciated Ed Harris, and I have admired Cuba Gooding Jr. in at least two of his roles. It was painful to watch the talents of these two actors, struggling with the burden of carrying a bad film, so woefully wasted. The script is trite and predictable. Supporting actors are expected to make dreadfully sterotyped characters believable and, with few exceptions, they fail. I have to agree with the reviewers who thought the film an insult to the handicapped "star" of this true story. What a disappointment!
47 Radio is More Than Just OKAY
Cuba does a good job of acting here...again and finally. Ed is at his best since "The Rock". A true story than pulls itself together at the VERY end. Buy it! Enjoy it!
48 Disgrace
This review refers to the Theater version of the movie and not the DVD version. It must be that we here in the Bahamas got an unedited first cut of the movie, because in almost every scene microphones were literally hanging visibly over the actors' heads. Cuba was very unconvincing and I am surprised that no one else seems to think so. The only other movie that he was in that was worse than this was Boat Trip. I do not think he can recover from performances like these... BAD MOVIE
49 Sweet Movie!!
Fans of "feel-good" movies like "Frequency" and "October Sky" will adore this movie of a mentally underdeveloped young man who wanders the street. He walks by a high school everyday and watches the football team practice. The coach notices him and befriends "Radio," the name he receives because of his obsession with radios. The story line that follows shows that not only does Radio need the friends he makes, but the town and high school really need Radio as well. This is based on a true story. You will need tissues. I went to bed that night feeling a warmth I'll never forget. When I know a movie like this really happened, it means all the more to me.
50 Great Movie ! Definetely Worth Seeing
Im not into drama much, but I must say this movie was just awesome. Maybe one of the best I have seen in a while. A Great cast with a terriffic plot. Cuba Gooding Jr was fantastic and Ed Harris plays a great obsessed football coach with a passion for winning, yet finds out in the end, football is not everything. These two make a great team in the movie and the film will touch everybody somehow. Definetely a good movie!
51 Melt
I won't recap the storyline but simply agree this movie will soften the hardest heart. Incredible acting by Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ed Harris. This is a must-see film in a cynical world.
52 Awesome Movie
This movie was wonderful. I cried the whole time almost, but it was happy at the ending. Wonderful casting, they all did super jobs in their rolls. I rented it, but went out and bought it the next day! Great movie, i recomend it to anyone.
53 Lack of plot kills this one
This movie is exactly the "disabled man" formula you would expect: Take a character with issues or a disorder of some kind, present his sorry case, beat him up, then make him loved by all at the end. And all the people that stood in ridicule to this character now stand in support of him. I fail to see what makes this so interesting.
The movie takes its wire-thin plot much too seriously, and aims to be "funny" and "heartwarming" but in the end is not either of these. The melodrama is overblown and the melancholy scenes are too predictable and sappy to be moving. I will admit that Cuba Gooding Jr.'s portrayal of Radio is good, but he is no Rain Man. In this case, it is not him that's the problem. It's the actors and plot surrounding him.
The movie fails spectacularly at creating supporting characters that are even remotely likeable. They were so bland I can't even remember their names, so I will refer to them by their jobs. The football coach is one of the stiffest, most two-dimensional characters I have ever seen and his daughter might as well be sleeping through her role. The writing of the script isn't bad, but their delivery is. There is a scene where the coach is trying to explain to his daughter his passion about helping Radio, but for all the emotion he displays they might as well have hired a marble statue.
The character of Radio's mom is by far the worst in the picture. When the football coach drops by Radio's house to ask his mother about his past, she gives us the most predictable lines imaginable with the, "My son is just like everyone else, he's just slow" speech. It was literally painful to watch this woman degrade herself with that godawful scene. I honestly was glad when her character died.
And inexplicably, the mother always looks angry when somebody brings up her son, especially during that speech, as if she's angry she ever had the dude, like the mere mention of his name is enough to invoke anger and shame. I thought this was supposed to be a movie that was against the ridicule of mentally challenged people. But apparently not, since the regular people never really treat Radio like a human being, more like some kind of stupid dog or gerbil that they all consider a pet.
Whenever Radio does something nice for them, for example giving them a portable radio as a present, they seem to pat him on the head condescendingly. Like an adult accepting a terrible macaroni picture from a three-year-old, they all simply shake their heads at each other and put on fake smiles as if to say, "Awwwww, look at the wittle wetarded man! He's sooo cute when he tries to act normal!"
In the end, the irritating lack of any coherent story or plot makes the movie feel like an excuse to preach saccharine life philosophy that the mentally challenged are people too. But if the movie really believes that is true, then it should practice what it preaches.
54 A PASSABLE FEEL-GOOD FILM
When you see the real "Radio" during the closing credits, you see that Cuba Gooding does a passable job of capturing his nuances. The expressions are good, but not amazing.
The moving story is based on an actual ongoing friendship in South Carolina between a white football coach and a mentally disabled black man. While the theme itself is very touching, has great lessons for us all, and all that, it really should have remained as the 4-page article in Sports Illustrated. It's too drawn out and simplistic to make into a movie. Little surprise then that the film is sappy, overtly "look I am so moving", and overwrought. Plus, it is paced very very slowly.
It is good to see Debra Winger again, but not in the role of the coach's homey wife. She gets about 10 minutes of screen time in all. Cuba Gooding is better in this than in "Fighting Temptations" or "Boat Trip", but that is faint praise. Ed Harris does well in these quiet, patient roles ("Monster's Ball," for e.g.) so he is adequate.
A passable feel-good flick, good to watch with kids perhaps. Hard to give it more brownie points than that.
55 A GREAT CUP
This a great, family friendly movie with no nudity, cursing or simulated sex. Proving again that the best formula for success is a great script, excellent acting, a message delivered with sensitivity, not with sledgehammer to the face and good direction.
Cuba Goodling is stunningly good in his portrayal of James Robert Kennedy, a mentally retarded man that they simply start calling RADIO. The end is a real Tear-jerker moment when they show RADIO 26 years later still there, forever an 11th grader.
There are interesting moments that take place in the barber shop. Towns people gather there to discuss town events and get the low-down from coach Harold Jones. When things are going good, the coffee is good, and coach says GOOD CUP. When things didn't go so good, coach says THAT WAS A LOSEY CUP.
56 good acting, ok movie
I grew up in Anderson, SC and went to T.L. Hanna high school with the real Radio, and I can attest that Cuba Gooding's portrayal is perfect. But this movie is sappy and bland. It has some nice moments, and it's great if you need a good clean movie to watch with your grandmother. That's as much as I can say for it.
57 A Chick Flick For Guys
This is one of the better feel-good movies I've seen lately. Ed Harris does a nice job of getting the viewer to care about the characters, and Cuba turns in a very convincing performance as a mentally disabled man with a heart of gold and a passion for sports and radios. If you liked Forrest Gump, you will probably love this movie.
58 A movie about human worth and caring
I liked this movie's good heart and simple story telling. It really isn't a football movie, nor is it a struggle of good versus evil. And though it has a few standard story telling elements, the real issue here is seeing where real human value is and how that should shape our priorities.
Cuba Gooding Jr. plays the title character quite well, especially when we see the actual man over the closing credits and can compare. However, this kind of innocence and decency embodied in this story's depiction of Radio is often dismissed in our ironic age. Too bad, because the helpless and defeated rage Gooding is able to express when Radio loses his mother is absolutely beautiful. (If you have lost your mother you will absolutely understand the truth of the scene.)
Ed Harris is terrific as Coach Jones who, for reasons no one really understands - including himself - is taken with helping this lonely and lost creature who can barely speak and sees him as a person of value. He takes care of him for reasons that even Coach Jones himself only vaguely understands at first.
In order to make a story, there have to be those characters who reject Radio and see him as a problem. And those actors do well with the roles given them. Of course, at least some of the enemies are won over in the end.
Debra Winger and Sarah Drew are fine as the Coach's wife and daughter. And Brent Sexton adds a lot as the assistant football and basketball coach at the high school. S. Epatha Merkerson is very good in her role as Radio's hard working and long suffering mother, and Alfre Woodard does a good job of playing the principal who wants to be supportive of Radio and Coach Jones, but who is also mindful of her responsibilities to other students and parents and who is also interested in her own job and career.
59 Excellent Guy/Girl Movie
Maybe I am being sentimental, but the acting and the story about someone who is not functioning in society being adopted by a high school was, well, just touching.
I had tears in my eyes. Gooding is believable, if you had not seen Gooding before, you would think he was like this. I compare his performance to Hoffman's Rainman and I give him a thumb up.
Ed Harris' and Debra Winger also pull off great performances as a husband and wife. To see Winger do such a great job in a support role was revealing to me about her flexibility as an actor.
The team, the town, the coach all came together to impact a life and that life had an impact on them.
Being a true story is really the clincher for me. A must see, everyone will like this movie, it is good for families, school and church viewing activities.
Buy Radio, I did.
60 Exellent
Living only twenty minutes away from the Anderson, SC (where the story takes place) one could say I have a biased opinion of this movie, however, I still think it is an excellent potrayal of the effect Radio has had on Anderson and the Upstate of SC. Some aspects of the plot could have been developed more, but then it would of distracted the viewer from the main point of the movie, which is to tell how Anderson came to love and revere this mentally challenged man and how he changed their views. Some critics may scoff at how racial tensions and attitudes were not portrayed because this movie takes place in the South and in the 1970's. However, that is the criticism of those who don't know the South and realize that hate and unrelenting racists are not lurking behind every corner. There's not denying that Radio didn't encounter racism in his life, but the point of the story is to show how he changed this town and their views forever.
Today Radio is still a town favorite and he is still giving out hugs and hellos to those he meets. No one is a stranger to this kind and gentle soul who has forever become a part of our hearts.
I highly recommend this movie to all who take pleasure in learning about the everyday people in life who have the greatest impacts on this world.
61 Everyone likes it!
This movie seems beloved by all. It is my firm belief that the trees are obstructing the view of the forest in this situation. The actual story is an outstanding one. The actors have terrific reputations. Sorry, that is it.
Hollywood has taken a feel-good article out of the "Living" section of the Sunday newspaper and neutered much of the realism. This story takes place in Anderson, SC but approximately 10% of the characters have Southern accents. In addition, there are NO racial tensions in the movie (I am from the South and love the South, but this movie is set in rural SC in 1976).
I wanted to stop agreeing with the antagonists but the script gave me no reason to:
*Radio disrupts practice and takes much of Coach Jones' time.
*Coach Jones interrupts the neglect of his family just long enough to toss them an occasional "how ya' been?"
*Radio sits in class with mainstream students.
*Radio runs into the girls locker room (yes, funny, but if you have a 14 year-old daughter, do you want a grown handicapped man seeing her bathing suit parts?)
Another wall I couldn't get over was the instantaneous acceptance of Radio by the town's members. Similar to Wacko calling himself the King of Pop an infinite number of times, Coach Jones dismisses all of Radio's critics with "But, it's Radio!" The brain-dead characters in the movie then echo, "Oh, yes, it is Radio indeed. We love Radio. And we love the King of Pop, Michael Jackson." AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! The crowd at Radio's first game chants his name. What? He hasn't been to any other games and this is a football town like the one in Varsity Blues. Imagine if, during Varsity Blues, the crowd started paying attention to the handicapped guy in the front instead of the action on the field. That is this whole movie.
Crap review, I know, but I don't care that much. Basically, I like the real Radio and think the story is a nice one. The key word in the last sentence is "nice." It belongs in Reader's Digest or a church sermon. It may just be one of those stories that requires narration to explain the school population's zombie-like transformation into Radio adoration. It warms my heart that some people liked the movie subtitled "Slow Rudy," but I just needed more explanation. Needless to say, I don't refer to Halftime Janet's white sister as The King of Pop.
62 Great and Inspirational
This was one of the most heart-warming movies I have ever seen in my life!
63 One of my favorite movies!
This movie reminds me of Rudy. The difference between the movies is where Rudy had to overcome his size to play on the ND football team Radio is a slightly mentally handicapped young man that does not try to improve himself at all. He is content with who he is. It is the people around him who are improved after meeting Radio and coming to understand his dedication to the local football team is actually an inspiration to the entire community.
What the school learned from Radio are the same lessons a good parent should teach their children. Like Rudy this movie will make you stand up and cheer for the underdog. It also will make you laugh and cry, too. Rated PG you need to share this movie with your children ages 8 or 9 and older.
64 A feel good movie
Get ready Cuba Gooding Jr. gives a astounding performance in this injoyable true story . He plays a mentally challenged young man in a small town in South Carloina mainly minding his own business until one day some teenagers from a high school football team play a cruel prank on Radio and coach Jones (Ed Harris) finds Radio all tied up and takes matters in to his own hands.He takes Radio in, and makes him part of the community.See the turmoil coach deals with helping Radio become part of the spirit in the school and community around him, you will be wrapped up in this courageous story that will touch you and make you feel good and will make you want to help someone youself . So get read for some great acting by Cuba and Harris as you will see in the ending Cuba must of studied the part to a tee , So get some friends together and Enjoy!!!!
65 Yet Another Formula Movie...
Well if there is one thing Hollywood has done right in it's last 30 years of film making, they have got the "formula movies" down. Take a character, present his sorry case, beat him up, beat him up more, then make him victorious and loved at the end. And all the people that stood in opposition to this character, now stand in support of him. We leave the theater, we feel good about plopping our 9.00 bucks down - life is o.k. Another problem I have with this movie/Hollywood is when you see a trailer, you remember a scene, you see the movie and the scene is removed due to an inane editing decision. The problem that I have with Radio, is two scenes: One with him attending a Baptist church and another with him really excelling in the classroom, supposedly if he gets good grades he can still attend a public school, but this is never really addressed and only left to the viewers hindsight to figure out, now when the editor cuts these scenes, he can sleep at night knowing that with the advent of DVD technology, those scenes (integral or not) will show-up on the deleted / alternate scenes menu. The problem with this is the biggest impact a movie will have on an audience, is on the big screen, this is where a movie makes its first impression, not in rental where they can give us the whole story. All in All a good, innocent movie, but doesn't take any risks of being a high calliber film.
66 RADIO, A Great Movie That Touched My Heart!
I'll start with that I'm 14 years old and love football... I love any football movie, and want to see them all, but only two football movies have left a smile on my face and a place in my heart. Remember The Titans, and Radio. Radio was such a great movie, seeing football makes me think about how much I love the sport and miss it right now. I cried a lot in this movie by the way Radio was treated and seeing the real Radio. I will add Radio to my list of movies I want. This movie makes me wish that I could be involved with a football team like Radio was because I share the same love of the sport. I know that if I were a boy I would play football and love it, but I'm not but I still love the sport and Radio made me love football anymore! It's a must see and buy movie!
67 VERY GOOD MOVIE
LOVED THIS MOVIE- GOODING, JR WAS GREAT IN HIS ROLE. ED hARRIS ALSO VERY BELIEVABLE.
68 Beautiful and touching movie
Hey, this film stars Cuba Gooding...what do you expect? Nothing but the best, of course! Cuba plays a sweet mentally impaired young man who's life only consists of pushing his shopping cart around town listening to an old radio. He gets made fun of and teased by the local football team, who's coach takes pitty and invites "Radio" to work with him. The story is about compassion, kindness, and love. I highly recommend it.
69 Radio - A touching true story!
What do you get when you mix a superior script derived from a true story; the exceptional acting talents of Cuba Gooding Jr., Ed Harris, Debra Winger and a whole host of outstanding supporting actors; you get "Radio," which is an exceptionally touching true story! Somehow I completely missed this one when it was in the theaters which is regrettable however, a good friend put me on to this movie and I'm enormously grateful as I found this movie to be absorbing, touching and heart warming as I'm sure you will as well!
For several years now, for me, any movie with Ed Harris in it has been one to watch as he is an extremely talented actor that conveys his characters emotions very well, engendering you to his performance. The same can be said of Cuba Gooding Jr. as well, he has done very few movies that I could say I didn't care for. As a general rule and one that applies to this movie in the fullest, when Cuba Gooding Jr. takes a role, he turns it into an Oscar caliber performance and that can truly be said of his performance in this wonderful film. I would also definitely have to say that it was nice to see Debra Winger in this film as the last movie I can recall seeing her in was "An Officer and a Gentleman," which is too bad as she is an exceptional actress! Last but not least is the performance by Alfre Woodard, and actress that I first saw in "Star Trek First Contact" and since that time I would definitely have to say that anytime I see her on screen it's time to watch what she's doing.
As of this movies release, "Radio" is only director Michael Tollin's second effort but it is quite easy to see with this beautiful film that he should have a long future in the director's seat.
The Premise:
Welcome to small town America in South Carolina in the early seventies where we have high school football coach, Coach Jones (Ed Harris) who is one of the states top high school football coaches. During a practice session early in the season he notices a young man whom he later nick names "Radio" (Cuba Gooding Jr.), watching the football practice. A few days later he finds that several of his football players are harassing this mentally challenged young man and before long he ends up taking him under his wings. It doesn't take long for the dramatic conflict to surface as several people begin to question the coaches interests in helping this young man and one of the most influential boosters believes that Radio is a distraction to the team as a whole and starts taking steps to interfere...
What follows from there is one of the most touching true stories that I've ever had the privilege of watching and I'm sure that if you're even remotely interested in these types of films you'll find it extraordinarily touching as well. I highly recommend this film to any and all who are interested in seeing a film that is, at its very core, one those films that makes you remember why you enjoy watching films so much. {ssintrepid}
70 masterpiece
sometimes you have to feel for the underdog. Cuba Gooding Jr is at a carreer high and after boat trip you need this movie to show he isn't just some stupid comedian. I always liked Ed Harris and he did an great job as coach jones. This movie is absolutely heartwarming.
71 Heart-warming story
Cuba Gooding plays a mentally-retarded young man who likes to push his grocery cart past the high school football field and watch boys live out a life he can only dream of. Ed Harris, who plays coach Harold Jones, notices the young man and encourages him to be a part of the team by helping out with odd jobs. The young man is dubbed "Radio" because he carries around a radio and is always listening to music. The coach introduces himself to Radio's mother and gains her trust by his caring approach to her son. Soon Radio becomes an integral part of the team and the high school, but not without some opposition from students and their parents who don't understand him. Ed Harris and Cuba Gooding turn in standout performances in this movie which is based on a true story. It's guaranteed to melt your heart.
72 GREAT Movie
I just got finished watching this movie. I loved it all the way through, from start to finish. So, if you haven't seen it yet, PLEASE go rent or buy it today.
73 THE BEST MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN.
The first time I heard of radio was from my sister. She said hey why dont you go see radio? I Said "radio??" I didnt know what radio was about. Later I have seen radio on a commerial. and then i knew what it was. I rented bad boys 2, one day. and on the dvd it had the radio movie trailer on it.i then saw the trailer then i felt like renting the movie radio. so i did. it WAS GREAT. THE ACTING IN THE MOVIE IS OUTSTANDING. RADIO IS A MENTALLY CHALLENGED MAN WHO IS TAKEN CARE OF by A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACH. THIS MOVIE IS BASED ON A TRUE STORY WHICH MAKES THE MOVIE EVEN BETTER. SEE THIS MOVIE IT IS SO GOOD. IT MADE MY CRY BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A SAD FILM BUT IN A GOOD WAY.SEE THIS MOVIE. DONT JUDGE THE MOVIE MY THE COMMERCIAL SEE THE ENTIRE MOVIE. AND YOU SEE WHAT RADIO IS ALL ABOUT. RESPECT MENTALLY CHALLENGED PEOPLE THEY ARE HUMANS TOO. e-mail me at kemo757@yahoo.com if you liked the movie. PEACE
74 Less is More
RADIO joins the ranks of memorable films that help us all appreciate the mentally challenged citizens of our world, much the way I AM SAM, THE OTHER SISTER etc have done. RADIO is based on a real person - James Robert Kennedy - and Cuba Gooding, Jr lifts this character to tender heights. Set in a small town (Hanna) in South Carolina, "Radio" is a loner who is tolerated and taunted by the townspeople until the football coach (Ed Harris) turns himself and Radio around, allowing the town (and team) to mature into caring folk who make this tender man a part of the lown's heart. Not a huge story here, but the actors include such committed stars as Ed Harris, Debra Winger (in a welcome return to the screen), Alfre Woodward, S. Epatha Merkerson, and of course, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and make it memorable. For some reason this film has been overlooked, perhaps because it is a rather quiet and small scale treatment of the story. I recommend you try it: it is worth more - as an investment of your time and feelings.
75 4 Stars are because it's SO GREAT to see Debra Winger again!
Debra Winger. This is really a thankless role but one that is meaningful in a few ways. However, it does show that this particular actress is far more deserving of good roles and should be getting them. How can we fans help? Go see her films.
76 could have been better
Radio is an average film about a young man with a learning disability (Cuba Gooding Jr.) who is invited to join in with the local high school football team after the coach (Ed Harris) catches a few of his players torturing him. The young man has a real interest in radios, so that becomes his nickname. He eventually becomes another coach, even running drills with the players.
The film is really about the relationship Harris forms with Gooding. Harris even invites Radio to school to take part in the classes he teaches. Naturally, some object, including the principal (Alfre Woodard), who has to keep standing up to the school board when they want to know why a disabled grown man is spending all day in their classrooms. Another major complaint comes from the father of the star athlete who feels that Radio is a joke and a distraction from the team. He infects his son with this attitude and his son does some rather mean things to Radio.
This film is pretty good on some levels and rather weak in others. Take for example Harris' family. It is hinted at early on that Harris has never made time for his now 17 year old daughter. This relationship is never developed in the movie, except for one scene which supposedly explains why he is so passionate about helping Radio. The whole structure seems weak and unbelievable. I also was not blown away by Gooding's performance. It is so easy these days to give an actor credit just for playing the part of a disabled person. Make no mistake, this is no Rain Man performance.
Overall, this is a good movie that could have been much better. Considering the fact that it is based on a true story, it really missed its chance. At the end, when we see clips of the real Radio, that is without a doubt the best part of the movie. It shouldn't have been that way.
77 Moving and Inspiring Drama
High school football coach Harold Jones (Ed Harris) is getting ready for what should be a top season for his team. When he finds a few of his players harassing a mentally challenged young man after practice one day, he steps in and even finds a few things that "Radio" (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) can do to help the team. This outreach doesn't sit well with everyone in town who worry about having a mentally challenged person so close to their kids. Coach Jones, however, fights for Radio's ability to stay involved in sports and even begin a job at the high school. Slowly, their bond of friendship grows. But will they ever overcome other's prejudice?
When I first heard about this movie, I was ready to give it a pass. Seemed like movies I'd seen before. After my mom raved about it, I gave it a second chance and went to see it. Am I ever glad I did.
The performances from the two leads are amazing. They are given lots of material to work through, and both handle it well. This is especially true of Cuba Gooding, Jr., who makes the mentally challenged title character come to life in a believable and sympathetic way. The story is uplifting, not depressing like I had first feared. Based on a true story, it is even more inspiring to see the two real people at the end. It really challenged me to look at those around me for people who might need my help.
Anyone looking for a movie that will encourage and inspire them will love this film. It's a great film with truly memorable characters (who happen to be real) and wonderful performances.
78 Perfect film!
As reciving slight brain damage in a race accident in my youth my speech is now slurred. watching this film touched me, my wife and family. it is a beutifully documented film. Cuba Gordan jr's performance was spectacular. The way he potrayed a man with a serious handicap will giva all an accurate insight to the life of a challanged person. To think back in the early 70's a coach (Harris) would step out of his way and over many people to keep Radio (Gordan) an active member in society. and the fact that it really happened. Dont rent it, buy it! Trust me, you'll thank yourself later.
79 Hollywood finally got it right!
Radio is perhaps the best movie I've seen in years and deserves to be in every home, school, and library. It's message is a wonderful lesson for all of us: One person standing up for what is right can make a huge impact on the lives of others. The coach is a very positive role model, especially for boys, and Radio shows us what true forgiveness really means. I loved this movie when it was in the theatres, and I'll be purchasing this great family movie (not for most children under 10 though) to enjoy over and over again. It's even better than Remember the Titans, which is another favorite of mine. By the way, these two films focus on football, a sport I don't particularly care for and never watch. Radio, like Titans, isn't about football; it's about interpersonal relationships. A chick flick? Not exactly, but wives will enjoy this one every bit as much as their macho hubbies. No sex scenes either, which we can do without. Even the girl's locker-room scene was tasteful. You should buy this movie and use it as a springboard for some serious discussions. Just a wonderful, wonderful movie.
80 Listen to RADIO
I went to see Radio with my friends, what a great movie it was! Cuba Gooding Jr. is fantastic as Radio and you will fall in love with him. This story touched my heart and it will touch you too.
81 Not a good movie
This movie tries to be dramatic and sad, but that makes it really funny. Movies now days that try to do this are never good because the only good ones are old. Plot moves quickly and the football scenes are neat. Bad acting and the dramatic lines are predictable.
82 Great Acting, But Pretty Slow Paced
James Robert Kennedy (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), better known as Radio, has been wandering the streets of his small South Carolina hometown for as long as anyone can remember. Most people leave him alone, knowing that he is harmless, and hardly anyone even really sees him anymore as he pushes his shopping cart around. But one day, Coach Jones (Ed Harris) finds a few of his star football players picking on Radio and he is intrigued and wants to find out more about him. It is obvious that Radio is a little "different" and more than a little slow, but there is something about him that touches Coach Jones' heart. To try and make it up to Radio, Coach Jones invites him to help out at the football practices and Radio is slowly adopted by the team. Unfortunately, not all of the ball players and townspeople are ready to accept Radio and invite him to be a part of their lives. As Coach Jones becomes more involved in the life of Radio, he is forced to make some difficult decisions in his own life and to see himself - and his family - in a whole new light.
Ed Harris, who played Coach Jones, and Cuba Gooding, Jr., who played Radio, were both superb in this film. Gooding did a fabulous job of playing the sweet, innocent Radio who honestly believed that everyone liked him and wanted to help him. His performance was definitely a highlight of this film. Harris also did a great job as a gruff, tough, small town football coach who discovers that he does have a heart after all. The supporting cast was also excellent and I cannot think of anyone who was miscast in the film. My major complaint is that the film is very slow paced and nothing really happens. I enjoy a good drama as much as the next person, but the film was billed as a kind of sports-drama so I was thinking of something along the lines of Remember the Titans with some more action and some comedy thrown in. There are little bits of comedy and little glimpses of action, but just about all of them are shown in the trailer. On the plus side, there is nothing inappropriate in the movie so the whole family can go and see it together. If you are in the mood for a nice, slow-paced, feel good movie than this is a great pick for your evening.
83 A Movie that Defies your Expectations
I HATE Cuba Gooding Jr. Until I saw this movie I thought he was one of the worst actors working in Hollywood today. I thought he ruined every movie he was ever involved in. I had made my judgment about this movie long before I saw it; it looked like just another sickeningly sweet movie that Hollywood is far too fond of making. I thought that would take the Disney approach to sports movies and be populated with convenient stock characters. This is not the case. "Radio" has been accused of a lot, it seems as though every review I've read in the press has commented that "Radio" is yet another movie about the mentally challenged teaching the rest of us the virtues of simplicity. I disagree; "Radio" is not so much about the virtues of simplicity as it is about the hazards of artificial complexity. There is a distinct difference between the two. It doesn't encourage us to be like Radio and disregard all of life's great complexities, like so many other movies of this type do. Instead, it only asks us not to impose complexity just because we can.
The other criticism I've heard again and again is that Ed Harris's character does not do enough to explain his actions. It appears that these two criticisms go hand in hand. I believe that Harris's character does more than enough to explain his actions, perhaps even a little too much. Take your pick, your choices are: he wants to find a way to make up for the cruelty of his players, or he wants to make up for his own inaction against an injustice he witnessed in childhood, or just because he "figures it's the right thing to do". If he was just serving a penance as the first two options suggest, he could have quit long ago. The answer is that Coach Jones knows it's the right thing to do, we can see the quiet righteousness in his eyes from the very first moment he's on screen. He sees things very clearly through those eyes, and it is because of his constant, stoic clarity that he is able to overcome the attempts of others to make the issue overly complex. This is what is so compelling about "Radio". Its message is very simple, look into your heart, and into the hearts of others and you will always know which course to take. It's a message that so often goes unheeded, especially when it comes to dealing with someone who does not fit perfectly into a mold, regardless of disability. These people are sometimes just left behind, or at worst their spirits are crushed along the way. This is done at the hands of a bureaucracy which my it's very nature has no soul and thus cannot recognize one. Radio's biggest problem is not his disability, but rather the fact that no one in power knew quite what to do with him. The answer is to do what you know is right, and don't muddy the waters with prejudice.
84 Good Acting But Not a Good Movie!
"Radio" is the story of a man who meets a boy who changes a town. Sounds sappy, eh? Well that's the charm of "Radio" but charm was not enough to win me over and give this movie a better rating.
The movie stars film veteren Ed Harris and a star who I believe will become a future veteren actor Cuba Gooding Jr. Most of Gooding's movies are good. I heard good things about "Jerry McGuire," "Men of Honor," and "Pearl Habor." I saw him in "Rat Race," "Snow Dogs," "The Fighting Temptations," and was probally one of the only people who liked "Boat Trip." But when these two great actors come together, you would think that it would make one heck of a movie. But people are wrong all the time and I was just wrong thinking of it being a great movie. The problem with "Radio" did not rest with the performances of the actors. All of the actors put there best into the role, but the problem was that the script and the story was too weak. Too sappy. Too much. I felt like I was watching the same thing that I've seen in tons of other films. It was just another tearjerker about a mentally challenged person who changes a life or many lives. That genre is just getting old.
The movie starts with a young man named James Robert Kennedy, played by Cuba Gooding Jr. He is pushing a shopping cart down a dirt road, having fun. Every day he does this and he passes the sports field where he sees Coach Harold Jones helping his football team pratice for the upcoming season. The team includes Johnny, son of banker Frank Clay. Also couching team is Honeycutt. Harry focuses on football all the time during the season which neglects his wife Linda and their teenage daughter Mary Ellen who is a cheerleader for the team. Though Harry discovers James when the other boys on the team are making fun of him. He nicknames his Radio and brings him home to his mother, Maggie. Harry lets Radio hang around on the field bu Frank believes that he is becoming a disraction and the football team is becoming less of a team, and more of a social club. Then harry lets Radio sit in his class. Harry is a teacher at the school. Principal Daniels has a problem with that since Radio is not an official student. Problems arise from Radio in his personal life as they begin to educate him and learn more about how his father died, how his mother always works long hours at a hospital, and how he is just like all of the other kids, just a little different then them.
The acting was amazing. I've stated that already, but I just want to stress the point. Gooding Jr. especially. He was just amazing. He played the part of Radio so well, that people who never saw that actor would probally think that the actor was an actual mentally challenged person. All of the actors put so much love in their characters. Whenever you saw Radio on the screen, you just had to smile because he was so innocent. He did nothing wrong, yet half of the town is angry at him just for being different. But they are really just scared. They are scared of what they believe is not normal, when Radio is just as normal as you and me. It's a sad thing, being angry at innocent things, at different things. Because in exterior does not matter. Towards the end of the movie Ed Harris says that they havn't been teaching Radio, he's been teaching them. Radio has been teaching them. He taught them that it is ok to be scared of things you don't understand, but it wasn't ok to take out angry on them because of their difference.
ENJOY!
Rated PG for mild language and thematic elements.
85 Great movie with excellent performances
Radio is a movie based on a true story that is vastly improved because of the excellent performances by its cast. Football coach Harold Jones sees a young mentally challenged young man walk by his team's practice everyday and begins to take an interest in him. Jones invites him to help out at practice and basically be part of the team. Soon the young man, James Robert Kennedy aka Radio, begins to have an influence on all those around him. Radio even goes to school by helping out Coach Jones and going to classes himself. Some people in the small South Carolina town do not approve of Radio and begin to make steps to have him examined by professionals and possibly move him out of town. Radio is a very good movie from beginning to end that will keep you riveted throughout. The story is great, the acting even better, and the emotions are very real as you watch this movie.
Cuba Gooding JR is great as James Robert Kennedy, aka Radio, the mentally challenged young man who becomes involved with the town's football team and its coach, Harold Jones. Jones is played by Ed Harris in a very good role for him as the thoughtful coach who is suffering through family problems of his own. The relationship between Radio and Jones is the most important in the movie and easily the very best. Some scenes are truly touching as the two men interact with each other. The film also stars Alfre Woodward as the school principal, Debra Winger as Jones' wife, and several other familiar faces who all turn in good roles. Radio is a very good movie that benefits greatly from the impressive performances turned in by its two main stars. This is a movie that may make you cry several times, but it is very enjoyable and well worth a watch. Go check out Radio!
86 Touching!
My class went to see this movie on a field trip. Some of them thought it was boring, but I think it is cause they dont really have any emotional feeling or understanding for the plot. However the story is so touching and has a great moral, and loads of us students got that too. I am never going to forget this movie. When I think of it today, I still get tears in my eyes. It was so sad! Normally I just think, "Oh its just a movie," but the thing is that this is based on a true story and also it affects loads of peoples lives, including mine. What is so important to me is helping people with disabilities. I cried when Radio started crying cause football was over, I felt so bad for him - I could feel his innocence and pain. Then when his mom hugged him I felt my heart, like, lurch. I really cried when his mom died. I felt so sorry and bad for him, especially since it was just after Xmas and he is such a sweet innocent person! And also, I dont no why but when he got the radio for Xmas and was dancing, that touched me. I felt so bad and had tears when he got arrested, cause it was Xmas and he was so scared and so innocent. Anyways, this movie really touched me and I will carry it with me forever. I would go see it again but it was so sad that I don't think I will for awhile. I loved it though.
87 Tune your brain to the right frequency and see this movie!
"Radio" is one of the best movies of 2003 and is a very touching story. The movie is based on a true story of a mentally handicapped young mane named James Robert "Radio' Kennedy who got his nickname `Radio' from a habit of carrying a small radio device in his shopping cart since his childhood as he walked by the high school to watch the football games and practices. A coach for Hanna High School in South Carolina named Harold Jones sees `Radio' numerous times who walks by the school sidewalks during practice and during the games and decides to bring him into the games after Radio takes a football which was kicked out of the field and keeps it. It is around this point when Harold Jones invites Radio to join the assistant coaching staff. However, some school staff and parents of the other students feel highly reluctant to keep `Radio' on the job as assistant coach believing that he is only being used but Harold Jones completely objects to the officials desire to remove `Radio' from the school.
If you enjoyed "Remember The Titans", you are destined to enjoy "Radio" a lot as it deals with similar issues of prejudice in schools around this time although in a different light. Both of these movies are based on rather turbulent times during the immediate aftermath of the Civil Rights Movements of the late 1960s and early 1970s and the bigoted attitude that still was lingering in many schools around that time. The differences between is that "Remember The Titans" involves the team with an African-American as their new coach, learning to reject prejudice against non-whites and do some teamwork with their coach Herman Boone, "Radio" involves the powerful but true story of a guy who goes from being an outcast on the streets (he's not homeless) to becoming one of the most beloved assistant coaches the high school has ever had. "Remember The Titans" sheds light on overcoming prejudice against non-whites, "Radio" in a way involves a much more complicated issue of welcoming severely handicapped individuals into the fold as the number of mentally handicapped people is likely to only get larger in the foreseeable future (Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, etc.).
(There could be some Minor movies spoilers possible ahead but hopefully not)
James Radio Kennedy is still assistant coach at the Hanna school and is now in his 50s and still improves people's lives at the school and brings more victories to his high school football teams. According to the movie, Harold Jones is now retired but is still in close touch with `Radio' to this very day. I've been reading some articles while net researching on `Radio' and it says that In reality though, there was no record of Harold in fact ever retiring and is probably still coaching there for all I know. Some of the timeline elements are different from the real life times when the events in this movie occurred. While the movie takes place in 1976, `Radio' himself was made assistant coach way back in 1964, not in 1976. He himself was the victim of some cruel pranks early in his career but not the one shown in the movie but one was worse. But through it all, it's absolutely amazing to learn that `Radio' went from an outcast who could hardly write or read to becoming one of the most well-known and beloved assistant coaches ever at the school.
Cuba Gooding Junior delivers a heart-wrenching yet joyful acting portrayal of James `Radio' Kennedy and in here, Gooding has never been better in any other movie I've seen him in so far. Excellent job! Everyone else does a fantastic job of playing their characters as well especially Ed Harris as Harold Jones. I felt ticked off at the character Johnny Clay's behavior at the beginning of the movie although he gradually came out and opened up to `Radio'. However he shows the cold hard truth of how pranksters can really regret their actions later on.
While some of the elements of the story are altered from what actually happened in `Radio's real life, this is a very true story and is a very uplifting example of how even some who have severe psychological conditions can become very powerful and beloved individuals. It also brings to mind the sad truth of how a lot of mentally ill patients are completely neglected on the streets and the tragedy of what these individuals face on the streets (crime, adverse weather conditions, speeding traffic, dire poverty, police brutality, etc.) and the consequences of such neglect by others. "Radio" though is a shining example of how even people with handicaps like `Radio' himself have can show unbelievable courage and bravery to become respected idols for generations to come.
Some may believe that "Radio" may rely too much on sentimentality but I beg to differ. I for one am glad that Hollywood at least for once, managed to put out a clean, and sweet movie free of the excessive levels sexual content, foul language, and excessive pointless violence of a lot of other movies these days. There are quite a lot of mentally handicapped people in this country and the number is only going to increase in the foreseeable future but seeing this movie is very uplifting as `Radio' would likely have long been deceased by now had Coach Jones not hired him as assistant coach but thanks to Jones, "Radio" Kennedy is one of the most beloved coaches in this country. Whatever happened, they sure tuned into the right frequency with this movie. Go with a friend, go with a date, or even go alone but whatever the case I strongly recommend that you tune into the right frequency and see this movie today. It's brilliant, it's sad, it's happy, all in one and is one of the best movies of the year so far.
88 This is a great movie
This is a movie about a handicapped guy who walks around with a cart. He gets a chance to help coach a football team, and it makes him happy. It also makes him do good stuff. In the face of opposition from parents and others who didn't think this young man was capable of anything, Radio manages to overcome everything and acheive his dreams, however simple they may be. This movie has a good moral, and is definitely worth seeing.
89 Good Premise - Poor Movie
Radio, starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ed Harris, is the true story of a disabled South Carolina man (James "Radio" Kennedy) who was befriended by a football coach, school, and local community. The intentions behind the creation of Radio are good, but unfortunately the movie never fully explains, nor develops, the background of the central character enough to make us understand why there was such a sudden and overwhelming urge for other characters in the film to help him. The producers, writers, and directors of Radio could have told a story similar to that of Forrest Gump, but Radio does not even come slightly close to the 1994 best picture winner. Instead of developing the same type of solid characters, quality story, and authentic emotion that Forrest Gump did, Radio becomes wildly sentimental and far too maudlin. Its simplistic, child-like plot almost makes you think that Captain Kangaroo was the writer and Mr. Rogers the director. Radio has a noble concept and a good premise, but those two elements alone do not make it a good movie.
90 Stellar
One of the best movies I have seen in my life, period (and I've seen a LOT of movies-I'm 48). Outstanding story, well acted, well-written. I can't offer enough superlatives. Rarely does a movie come along with this good a story that is so well-delivered by everyone involved.
91 "Radio" hits the right frequency
"Radio" is not your typical "against all odds" saga, as finely polished performances from both Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Ed Harris will attest to the above fact. Based on a true story, "Radio" focuses on the hardships of a mentally disabled man (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), who is scoffed at by the locals in a small South Carolina town. Moving about evasively with a shopping cart filled with "goodies" along a backwoods road, the film's subject just goes from point A to point B in roundabout fashion, being virtually ignored by everyone, until an incident which occurs at a local high school changes this man's life. He then crosses paths with the high school varsity football coach (Ed Harris), who gives Radio an honorary position on the team as a "waterboy" of sorts. This young man begins to win many a heart of nearly everyone on the team, including the citizens of the hometown. Besides the coach, Radio's biggest fan is his mother, who just gloriously basks at the sight of her son's accomplishments. Since Radio enamorates such a bold and enlightening presence around the football squad, he is then given an opportunity to blend in with the student body, and enrolls in the eleventh grade. Persistence pays off, as this determined young man begins to pronounce words unknown to him before, thus gaining Radio a newfound self-confidence. Also contained within this uplifting motion picture, is a touching scene that will leave one emotionally shaken. While "Radio" is not your typical "Win One For The Gipper" movie, it is not devoid of the thematic meaning the film's storyline conveys (as is the case in some similarly themed motion pictures) - that being it is not just about sports, but is about persevering against the odds and showing everyone that no obstacle is too big or too small to overcome, regardless of one's physical size or personality type. Alfre Woodard displays an Oscar-caliber performance as the school principal who's doubtful of Radio's presence on campus. Above all, "Radio" hits the right frequency, and is static-free, regardless of the station it's tuned to. It's playing (in stereo, of course) at a theater near you. Get tuned, real soon!
92 this was the best i have seen in 2003 maybe ever
this was one of the best i have ever seen. and what makes it one of the best is the fact it is based on a true story. this is a movie about what true friendship is about.it is one that touches the heart in a very strong way.i went with my wife and my best friend and his wife too see this movie i know was was going to be great because this is the first movie i have seen that the trailer has moved me to tears. and i was not let down as i watched this movie and to to be watching it with my best friend made it all the better. i know i looked over at him about 5 minutes into the movie and we both already had big tears rolling down our cheeks. this is a movie that we out cried our wifes in.i know some will say it is too sentimental but what is true freindship if you dont go through good times and bad together.this is a movie to take family too and enjoy it is great. there is sad tears in it and happy tears but so what that is what make a movie good to me.
93 RADIO made me want to go out and do something good!
When I first saw the trailer for RADIO I thought it looked really cheesy. I thought surely that it was going to be a lame attempt by star Cuba Gooding Jr. to acknowledge to his fans that he knows he's been wasting his talent in films such as BOAT TRIP, SNOW DOGS, and RAT RACE. So, needles to say I wasn't that excited about seeing the film. However, my mom and my brother came to visit and it was the one movie they and my girlfriend and I could all agree on watching. And I'm happy to say my thoughts based on the trailer were proven wrong.
RADIO is a wonderful film! As a matter of fact it is never cheesy and it never lays on the sap as I had initially thought it would. Instead it does just the opposite and is very subtle in it's emotions. I was as uplifted by RADIO as I have been by any film in recent memory. Cuba Goodings Jr.'s performance of the title character isn't only great it's incredibly brave. He isn't given much dialogue and yet he still really lets you know who his character is and what he's all about. This is the only noteworthy thing the actor has done since "showing the money" in JERRY MCGUIRE but it's been worth the wait. Not that I put that much stock in Oscar after the decisions the Academy has made in the past couple of years but if Cuba Gooding, Jr. isn't nominated for Best Actor it will be a crime. So far, there hasn't been a better performance this year. What else can I say? His portrayal is flawless and inspiring. Ed Harris is in fine form as well. Actually, I've never seen a movie Ed Harris wasn't good in so that should come as no surprise.
I love films like RADIO. It's the type of film that makes me want to literally stand up and cheer. After watching this film, it made me want to go out and try and be a better person. You know, give someone a helping hand. And if a film's capable of doing that to a person, especially me, then it must be powerful!
A-
94 One if the better ( if not best) movies of 2003.
As an avid movie go'er, you know what I hate the most? Walking out of a two hour movie feeling ripped off. And after having to endure such chronic trash such as "Hulk", and "Spykids 3", It is no maricle that this has become what I expect from the movie biz as of recently. However I can saftly say that Radio has left me feeling very happy, and relieved. It is actually only of average fair, however compared to all the crap released this year, it seemed like Citizen Kane when I saw it. The story is modestly interesting, and the sports action can be exciting at times. This is certianly not going to win an oscar, but if you have nothing to do, you may want to give it a try.
95 Radio Plays Well
I saw the sneak preview of RADIO and found it a good movie. Not a great movie, which it could have been, but better then the crap that was out this summer. I love going to movies especially when they are well written and do not make you check your watch to see how long you have to endure this IQ robbing film. RADIO did not make me look once. I rank it up with the best of 2003 along with Pirates of the Caribbean and Second Hand Lions. It is well worth the money?..
