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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
"All I have to do is maintain my fantastic 2.0 grade-point average and everything is cool.", September 30, 2003
This review is from: All the Right Moves (DVD)
Because "Risky Business" gets all the attention for being Tom Cruise's breakout film, Michael Chapman's "All the Right Moves" has often been unfairly overlooked or just outright forgotten. That is a shame because Cruise's "other" coming-of-age film is a highly entertaining effort that deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as his more high profile projects.
Cruise plays Stefan Djordjevic, a high school football player who dreams of being awarded a college scholarship in order to escape a future in the steel mills. However, Stefan's short temper often gets the best of him and his relationship with his high school coach (Craig T. Nelson) becomes strained after he participates in an incident that leaves the coach's house vandalized. With the help of his high school sweetheart, Lisa (Lea Thompson), Stefan starts to get his act together and ultimately gets his life back on track.
"All the Right Moves" proves that Tom Cruise had tremendous screen presence from the very beginning. His scenes with Nelson and Thompson provide dazzling hints of greater things still to come. Nelson, who may be better known for his comedic side, turns in an especially strong supporting performance as the coach who is both Stefan's tormentor and supporter at the same time. The story of the small-town kid dreaming to escape his surroundings for better things has been told so many times on television and film in so many different ways that it would be easy to dismiss "All the Right Moves" as just another tired re-telling. However, a familiar story is still engaging if told well and this film is proof of that.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Tom Cruise, July 20, 2005
While I did not grow up in Pennsylvania, I arrived there a few years after this film and made it my home for many years. Watching this movie brings back many memories, good and bad.
This film was more than just about football, but about small town America. Sure, places like "Ampipe", PA. (Johnstown) may not be sophisticated, glamorous and glitzy places, but it has a togetherness and cohesiveness that many large cities cannot rival.
Tom Cruise plays Steph Djorjevic, a small town kid eager to get out of the cycle that has kept his family in the steel mill town for generations. Steph realizes that there is a world outside the gritty industrial town, and he pursues it.
He has a rocky relationship with his coach, played by Craig T. Nelson (BEST person ever to play the role of a coach anywhere, IMO) and an up and down romance with his steady girl Lisa (Lea Thompson). Steph must face not only the obstacles of growing up here, but getting out as well. He eventually lands a scholarship to Cal-Poly and realizes his dream of getting out. Not just a movie, but an experience. A Must see!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You can almost smell the wet, grass stained uniform., January 14, 2000
Having grown up and played football in Western Pennsylvania, every bit of "All The Right Moves" brings back emotions, thoughts, memories and even smells. Even if you are not from Pittsburgh, you can appriciate the frustration this film captures of just wanting a better way of life. I hope any body viewing this film, at least can appreciate what the backbone of this country experiences. I never realized it until I moved to Los Angeles, the respect I have for my home town. I will very soon be moving my family back. Every time I see this movie I remember who I am and how proud I am of my heritage.
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