Radio

Roger Ebert started his review by saying, “I don't know the slightest thing about the true story that inspired "Radio," and I don't really want to, because the movie has convinced me that it's pretty close to real life. I believe that because (1) the closing credits include footage of the real Radio Kennedy and Coach Jones, and (2) because the movie isn't hyped up with the usual contrivances.” This is a film about football that doesn’t rely for its climax on the important game.

There are scenes that in another movie might have looked forced – the way the local boosters club congregate after every game in the local barbershop to get the coach’s report and insult him. Doesn’t this type of event happen in move small towns? Ebert noted, “Just like there's always a diner filled with regulars who apparently sit there 24 hours a day waiting to act as the local Greek chorus? Maybe, but by the end of "Radio" I was half-convinced that if I were to visit Anderson, S.C., on the night of a high school game, I could walk downtown and see the boosters right there through the barbershop window.”

“Radio,” released in 2003, is a movie based on a Sports Illustrated article, written by Gary Smith, about the way a series of Anderson teams and coaches have adopted James “Radio” Kennedy, a an with special needs, as a team mascot and cheerleader. He is well-loved, and we see he has a good heart and drive needed only when the right moment gives him that time in life. The movie focuses in story form on Radio’s first season with the team, and about the bond that is created between the teenager (Cuba Gooding Jr.) and tough, no-nonsense Coach Harold Jones (Ed Harris).

When we first see Radio, he goes on his usual walks through the town, pushing a shopping cart filled with radios and listening to his favorite portable one. One day a few football players lock him in an equipment shed and throw footballs at it, scaring him, and after Jones rescues Radio, he makes it his mission to have Radio become involved in his school football team.

Jones’ wife Linda, played by Debra Winger, obviously has the necessary scenes where he complains that he is always focused on his job. His daughter Mary Helen Jones, played by Sarah Drew, obviously has the needed scenes where she stays out too late and gives other signals that she needs more of her father’s attention. Now here’s what we don’t see coming: Not much is made in the needed way of these subplots, because Jones is a nice guy, and his family understands him and the daughter kind of resolves her own issues.

Yes, there is somewhat of an antagonist. Johnny Clay (Riley Smith) is the star player who automatically bullies Radio, maybe because his dad Frank (Chris Mulkey) is also a bully (since Frank is the town banker, and a hotshot in the hotshot in the booster club?). Frank thinks Radio is a “distraction” to the team, but Radio is really liked, and Coach Jones is such a good soul that even the bullies seem to be going through the plans just to be good people and give the film some drama.

Ebert commented, “"Radio" is such a sweet expression of the better side of human nature, indeed, that it's surprising to find it in theaters and not on one of the more innocuous cable channels.” With Gooding and Harris, it has the best people, and a screenplay by Mike Rich. Director Mike Tollin tells his story as easy and forward as he can, with no funny tricks, and what we get is just what we want, a story about a town that welcomes a teenager with special needs for its benefit and his own. Radio teaches the town, Jones says, by treating everyone the way we should all treat each other. The teenager does not have the ability to be mean, nasty, or dishonest.

The role is difficult for an actor. Ebert noted, “Gooding wants to make Radio lovable without being grotesquely cute, and mostly he succeeds, although Gooding is by instinct an expansive actor (the kind of man you imagine underlines his signature), and maybe a calmer actor like Ice Cube would have been a good choice. It was enough for Gooding to make me like Radio; in a few scenes I think he wanted me to pet him. Ed Harris is well cast in a role like Coach Jones, because he brings along confident masculine authority without even having to think about it. The other actors are pretty much pro forma.” Alfre Woodard plays the sincere high school principal, S. Epatha Merkerson is convincing as Radio’s loving mom, and Debra Winger is strong in a small role that, as Ebert describes, “makes me want to see her in a larger one.”

Now the if the movie’s story sounds too good to be true, that’s probably what you’ll think. There is no sarcasm in “Radio,” no angle or edge. It’s about what it’s about, with an open, warm and loving nature. Every once in a while, human nature shows itself in a way we can feel good about, and this is one of those times.

For families, for those who find most movies too sarcastic, for those who want to feel good in a nice and uncomplicated way, “Radio” is the one for you. Others may find it too slow or nice or innocent. You know what kind of films you like.

This is another movie that I saw a little bit of on one of the movie channels on cable before I found it On Demand and saw the whole movie. This is another one of those emotional films that can be difficult to watch because of seeing what Radio goes through, but it’s a feel good, slice of life film that everyone should watch because they will love this. I really liked it, and I think everyone will to. I recommend this film to everyone, especially since the real Radio passed away two years ago. See it in his honor and see what kind of a powerhouse this film is.

Thank you for joining in on “Special Needs Month.” I hope everyone enjoyed it and wait a minute, next month is October. You know what that means…. HALLOWEEN MONTH!!! Stay tuned to see what franchise I will be looking at this year, which is a funny one that will bring about some laughter during that month.