Radio

2003 Drama

Hollywood filmmaker Michael Tollin directs the sports drama Radio, based on a true story and adapted for the screen by Mike Rich (The Rookie). Set in a small South Carolina town during the '60s, the film stars Ed Harris as Harold Jones, a high school football coach who barely has time to spend with his daughter, Mary Helen (Sarah Drew), or his wife, Linda (Debra Winger). When Coach Jones meets the mentally challenged student who goes by the name of Radio (Cuba Gooding Jr.), he allows him to help out with his football team. While the townsfolk just aren't sure about Radio hanging around the team, the star player Johnny Clay (Riley Smith) is downright mean about it. Nevertheless, Radio continues to support the team for the next three decades. Also starring Alfre Woodard as the principal.

Director: Mike Tollin

Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr.,Ed Harris, Alfre Woodard, S. Epatha Merkerson, Brent Sexton

 30 Reviews  5 Awards

Reviews

  • There is no cynicism in Radio, no angle or edge. It's about what it's about, with an open, warm and fond nature. Every once in a while human nature expresses itself in a way we can feel good about, and this is one of those times.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    27 April 2013

  • Radio is assembled from small, hard stones of ignorance and intolerance paved over by large, mushy examples of community goodness.

    Lisa Schwarzbaum - Entertainment Weekly

    27 April 2013

  • There's no arguing that Cuba Gooding Jr. is trying to do right by the mentally disabled James Robert Kennedy.

    Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

    27 April 2013

  • Radio is almost as bad as it gets. That it isn't is thanks to Ed Harris, who brings depth and focus to his performance.

    Mick LaSalle - The San Francisco Chronicle

    27 April 2013

  • Though probably well-intentioned, Radio comes off as manipulative of its audience and exploitative of the mentally challenged.

    Claudia Puig - USA Today

    27 April 2013

Awards

  • Best Actor

    Black Reel Awards (2004)

     

  • Todd Garner

    Character and Morality in Entertainment Awards (2005)

  • Best Sports Movie

    ESPY Awards (2004)

     

  • Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

    Image Awards (2004)

  • Worst Actor

    Razzie Awards (2004)

     

Lists

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