I was fortunate enough to see a preview of this movie before the general release, and quite simply, it's a very good movie. Yes, there are parallels between "Hoop Dreams" and this one, although I liked "The Heart of the Game" better...maybe because it's a manageable 100 minutes long.
Coach Bill Resler is a great character, a great coach, and a great motivator. When one sees great motivators like this, you wonder what they would be doing instead if they were born say 100 years ago.
There are many poignant scenes. I'd say the one that has stuck with me the longest and most vividly is at the end of the second year (I think). When the girl misses the shot to win the game, they show in slow motion that she's face down on the floor sobbing so hard her body is shaking. Coach Resler gets down on the floor with her and whispers something to her, but still respects her space. I'm probably not doing this scene the justice it deserves, but it's extremely sweet and powerful.
Coach Bill Resler is a great character, a great coach, and a great motivator. When one sees great motivators like this, you wonder what they would be doing instead if they were born say 100 years ago.
There are many poignant scenes. I'd say the one that has stuck with me the longest and most vividly is at the end of the second year (I think). When the girl misses the shot to win the game, they show in slow motion that she's face down on the floor sobbing so hard her body is shaking. Coach Resler gets down on the floor with her and whispers something to her, but still respects her space. I'm probably not doing this scene the justice it deserves, but it's extremely sweet and powerful.