7) Remember the Titans
Yes, it was a Disney movie, but not only did it resonate with audiences in a big way, it featured perhaps the best example of Denzel Washington playing a straight up good guy. But think of it in comparison to other sports movies, and the leads they feature. Having a coach like Denzel, or Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday, gives a sports film an immense boost in credibility, and gravitas, and sheer quality. There’s plenty of corniness and manipulative emotional moments, but somehow having Denzel at the helm makes it serious.
It helps that he has the perfect amount of steadfast defiance that becomes the trademark of Coach Herman Boone. The political message of the movie is the central focus, and so the character of Coach Boone is of less importance, so Washington’s role is well served to advance that message and to make it resonate. It’s also kind of neat that the movie ushered in some young talent of the day, including Donald Faison, Hayden Panettiere and a baby-faced clown by the name of Ryan Gosling.
Published: Aug 2, 2013 10:28 am