From day to day, the choices at a local movie theater can be as dry as a piece of burnt toast or dripping with an overflow of classics in-the-making.
Luckily, for writer Mike Rich and director Michael Tollin, the leading cast of "Radio" is talented enough to lure in audiences.
Based on a true story, this genuine, heartfelt account is sugarcoated to the point that it becomes sour. With the combination of quality acting and a decent story line, the writer and director seemed to have forgotten about one critical element in the making of a movie: creativity.
"Radio" is set in the south, just like the last couple of major-release football flicks ("Varsity Blues," "Remember the Titans"). A mentally handicapped young African American man, played by the Academy Award-winning Cuba Gooding, Jr., is rejected from all social groups in the small, white South Carolina town.
Nameless to the locals who see him everyday, he pushes his shopping cart with an assortment of small treasures behind the fence of the football field.
One day he is noticed by head football coach Harold Jones (Ed Harris). The film moves slowly and repetitively at first. Nearly every camera shot is dedicated to close up angles of Jones intently gazing at the underprivileged man as he walks alone.
While pushing his cart by the field when the coaches are not around, Gooding's harmless character is tormented as the stereotypical jock/bully Johnny Clay (Riley Smith) leads his teammates in tying him up.
After Jones arrives and intervenes, he invites the shy kid into his office and discovers his love for radios. The coach nicknames him "Radio," and the two become inseparable.
Radio begins to help with the football team and makes a sudden and clich?(c)d transformation from the reject who was stared at by the townies into the beloved local celebrity.
The drama of the film is brought about by those who refuse to accept Radio as a part of the team.
Jones wins over the audience as he defends Radio's reputation from slander and helps the town through difficult times.
Along the emotional but predictable journey of friendship, there is no shortage of laughter. The chemistry between Harris and Gooding creates a number of scenes that divide the intense drama into a light comedy at times.
This connection between Gooding and Harris is what keeps the film afloat. The shortcomings of the script are somewhat evened out by the quality of the leading men.
Although the supporting characters are flat and stereotypical, they get the job done. This will please those who like tradition and turn off those who are looking for a little more.
"Radio" is a feel-good movie that lacks uniqueness and individuality, but people will find a way to appreciate another piece of dry toast
TITLE:"Radio"
STARRING: Cuba Gooding, Jr., Ed Harris
DIRECTED BY: Michael Tollin
GENRE:Drama
SYNOPSIS:Radio, a mentally handicapped Southerner (Gooding, Jr.), joins the ranks of a high school football team, transforming the town's mentality.
GRADE:B-
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
