Customer Reviews

Radio

5 star:		(95)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

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!

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.

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}

Wow...I just saw this movie and I just really enjoyed it immensly! I really hope that you would take time from your schedule and watch this movie. It is so powerful and moving that it will bring a tear to your eye.

It would be hard not to like a film whose heart and intentions are so well grounded. RADIO tells the true story of a mentally challenged young man who is taken under the wing of a kindly coach and becomes a legendary icon to the townspeople and young boys he come in contact with. There are the expected villainous turns as some people find Radio's contact with the football team distracting and unacceptable. But the movie flawlessly shows how Radio becomes a better person as do the people he affects. Cuba Gooding Jr. interprets rather than inhabits his role, but he does a good job in conveying the physical and emotional handicaps he overcomes. Ed Harris is superb as Coach Jones, the kindly man who works with Radio, even at the cost of losing time with his wife and daughter (Debra Winger in a marvelously underplayed role and Kate Drew who is excellent as the daughter). Great support too from M Ephata Mekkerson as Radio's mother; Alfre Woodard as the principal and Chris Mulkey as the jock and prejudicial father of one of the "badder" boys. All in all, a tearjerer that is propelled in my opinion more by Harris' performance than Goodings.

a true story of friendship, where the people you least expect teach great lessons of love, of life... Radio made the lifes of the people he touched, better, and managed to bring a whole community together....

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.

"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.

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.

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.