What’s Aged the Best?
Hopper's performance; Hackman as a coach; the Jimmy Chitwood trope; Flatch visiting the coach; Jimmy's jump shot; Rade Butcher; the music
In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 00:46:03Read transcript
- Hopper's performance: if he were an athlete he would be one who could have been even greater with his life together.
- Hackman ranks as a movie basketball coach, compared with Nolte doing Bobby Knight in Blue Chips and Affleck in The Way Back; he is as believable as anyone who has coached in a movie.
- A critical note: it was unclear what Hackman's system or offense was at the beginning beyond passing.
- The concept of a Jimmy Chitwood, like Kelly Leak in Bad News Bears, is a fun sports-movie trope; Steph was a Jimmy Chitwood at Davidson.
- Flatch going to see Hackman about his dad is praised.
- Jimmy's jump shot: by one count he is 37 for 41 in the movie.
- Mr. Butcher and his sons are praised, and Raid Butcher's athletic ability is compared to a little Angish game.
- The music is uplifting.
- A personal story: after being overlooked, the storyteller skipped senior varsity, worked alone for the seniors-versus-faculty game, scored 17 in the first half and told curious fans to 'ask them'.