Radio Reviews

• Great movie with excellent performances

  
  By A2Q13PHEXGR48Q on 2003-11-09
  Radio is a movie based on a true story that is vastly improved because of the excellent performances by its cast. Football coach Harold Jones sees a young mentally challenged young man walk by his team's practice everyday and begins to take an interest in him. Jones invites him to help out at practice and basically be part of the team. Soon the young man, James Robert Kennedy aka Radio, begins to have an influence on all those around him. Radio even goes to school by helping out Coach Jones and going to classes himself. Some people in the small South Carolina town do not approve of Radio and begin to make steps to have him examined by professionals and possibly move him out of town. Radio is a very good movie from beginning to end that will keep you riveted throughout. The story is great, the acting even better, and the emotions are very real as you watch this movie.

  Cuba Gooding JR is great as James Robert Kennedy, aka Radio, the mentally challenged young man who becomes involved with the town's football team and its coach, Harold Jones. Jones is played by Ed Harris in a very good role for him as the thoughtful coach who is suffering through family problems of his own. The relationship between Radio and Jones is the most important in the movie and easily the very best. Some scenes are truly touching as the two men interact with each other. The film also stars Alfre Woodward as the school principal, Debra Winger as Jones' wife, and several other familiar faces who all turn in good roles. Radio is a very good movie that benefits greatly from the impressive performances turned in by its two main stars. This is a movie that may make you cry several times, but it is very enjoyable and well worth a watch. Go check out Radio!
  
  

• Radio - A touching true story!

  
  By A16X61RLY1YJL7 on 2004-01-31
  What do you get when you mix a superior script derived from a true story; the exceptional acting talents of Cuba Gooding Jr., Ed Harris, Debra Winger and a whole host of outstanding supporting actors; you get "Radio," which is an exceptionally touching true story! Somehow I completely missed this one when it was in the theaters which is regrettable however, a good friend put me on to this movie and I'm enormously grateful as I found this movie to be absorbing, touching and heart warming as I'm sure you will as well!

  For several years now, for me, any movie with Ed Harris in it has been one to watch as he is an extremely talented actor that conveys his characters emotions very well, engendering you to his performance. The same can be said of Cuba Gooding Jr. as well, he has done very few movies that I could say I didn't care for. As a general rule and one that applies to this movie in the fullest, when Cuba Gooding Jr. takes a role, he turns it into an Oscar caliber performance and that can truly be said of his performance in this wonderful film. I would also definitely have to say that it was nice to see Debra Winger in this film as the last movie I can recall seeing her in was "An Officer and a Gentleman," which is too bad as she is an exceptional actress! Last but not least is the performance by Alfre Woodard, and actress that I first saw in "Star Trek First Contact" and since that time I would definitely have to say that anytime I see her on screen it's time to watch what she's doing.

  As of this movies release, "Radio" is only director Michael Tollin's second effort but it is quite easy to see with this beautiful film that he should have a long future in the director's seat.

  The Premise:

  Welcome to small town America in South Carolina in the early seventies where we have high school football coach, Coach Jones (Ed Harris) who is one of the states top high school football coaches. During a practice session early in the season he notices a young man whom he later nick names "Radio" (Cuba Gooding Jr.), watching the football practice. A few days later he finds that several of his football players are harassing this mentally challenged young man and before long he ends up taking him under his wings. It doesn't take long for the dramatic conflict to surface as several people begin to question the coaches interests in helping this young man and one of the most influential boosters believes that Radio is a distraction to the team as a whole and starts taking steps to interfere...

  What follows from there is one of the most touching true stories that I've ever had the privilege of watching and I'm sure that if you're even remotely interested in these types of films you'll find it extraordinarily touching as well. I highly recommend this film to any and all who are interested in seeing a film that is, at its very core, one those films that makes you remember why you enjoy watching films so much. {ssintrepid}
  
  

• Moving and Inspiring Drama

  
  By A2I6MHMAZZDCRX on 2004-01-27
  High school football coach Harold Jones (Ed Harris) is getting ready for what should be a top season for his team. When he finds a few of his players harassing a mentally challenged young man after practice one day, he steps in and even finds a few things that "Radio" (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) can do to help the team. This outreach doesn't sit well with everyone in town who worry about having a mentally challenged person so close to their kids. Coach Jones, however, fights for Radio's ability to stay involved in sports and even begin a job at the high school. Slowly, their bond of friendship grows. But will they ever overcome other's prejudice?

  When I first heard about this movie, I was ready to give it a pass. Seemed like movies I'd seen before. After my mom raved about it, I gave it a second chance and went to see it. Am I ever glad I did.

  The performances from the two leads are amazing. They are given lots of material to work through, and both handle it well. This is especially true of Cuba Gooding, Jr., who makes the mentally challenged title character come to life in a believable and sympathetic way. The story is uplifting, not depressing like I had first feared. Based on a true story, it is even more inspiring to see the two real people at the end. It really challenged me to look at those around me for people who might need my help.

  Anyone looking for a movie that will encourage and inspire them will love this film. It's a great film with truly memorable characters (who happen to be real) and wonderful performances.
  
  

• Unable to find it's correct frequency...

  
  By on 2003-10-02
  Okay, here's a timeline for you. I heard that Cuba Gooding Jr. was involved in a movie about a mentally handicapped man who inspired a town through his courage and spirit. Not interested. Then I heard that Ed Harris was involved and I began to care a little more. Then Debra Winger and Alfre Woodard were added to the cast list and I started perking up a bit. Then I saw the trailer for the film and it left me with a small (but present) lump in my throat for whatever reason (call me just a little too excited to sit through Seabiscut which is where I first saw the preview). Then I catch "The Fighting Temptations" and see that Cuba is back on track in turning in a fun and inspired performance leaving roles in "Snow Dogs" and "Boat Trip" far behind.

  So when I had the opportunity to catch a sneak preview of "Radio" the other night I jumped at it. Finally a movie that I had been interested in seeing I get to take in before reading other advance reviews and predictions. Call me a big stick in the mud but I found the movie to be a quickly made weepie that totally panders to the audience in its attempts at yanking at our heartstrings. Not nearly as manipulative as the deplorable "Pay it Forward" the movie does have many moments of pathos that had me rolling my eyes.

  Playing someone with a handicap is tricky business. It takes a certain type of actor to pull this off and, I'm sad to report, Cuba is not the man for the job. Remember Dustin Hoffman's performance in "Rain Man"? I believe that to be the performance others have to measure up to. Hoffman created a real, flesh and blood person that made you forget it was Dustin Hoffman playing the role. Cuba the person is present through his entire performance. It seems like he watched a few videos of handicapped people and just sort of made the rest up as he went along. There are some moments that had people snickering (not me) in the audience because his handicap is so over-the-top that it borders on parody.

  That said, I just found the movie to be so...ordinary. Much like "Men of Honor" with Cuba, there was just nothing special about the film. This could have been an ABC Sunday Night movie and been better received. None of the performances leap off the screen...they all just sort of sit there and go through the motions.

  Ed Harris does turn in a solid performance as always and I felt bad for him because maybe his agent sat him down and said, "Okay, we tried the terminal illness performance and the crazed artist performance. How about if we take this role of a white man helping a severely handicapped black man. That will surely get you an Oscar". I hope Joe Roth from Revolution Studios paid for Debra Winger's phone bill since she clearly is phoning in her performance...she's better than this and she (and we) know it. Alfre Woodard is wasted in what is basically a handful of scenes that she shot with Ed Harris in the hallways at school. It's like they had her for two days and just kept changing her blouse to mark the difference between scenes.

  Another problem with the movie is that there is no main antagonist. All the people represented as mean in the film are those that can't see Radio for the inspiring person he is. It's only when Ed Harris stops and tells them "Be nice to Radio" that the characters do a 180 degree turn and are like..."Oh yeah, you're right!" I can count at least 2 or 3 instances in the movie where this happens.

  Like I said...the more is so normal and un-special that it only makes you feel bad when you don't get all weepy when bad things happen to Radio or when the townspeople finally realize how special this guy is.

  What did I like about the film? The pacing was different than I thought it would be. It doesn't focus just on the football season but goes into the basketball one as well. For a movie set in the 70's they really dulled it down a lot. There were lots of period costumes and sets that were sort of a nice distraction (bonus points if you can count all 10 HUGE Afro wigs they put on several characters).

  So at the end of the film is the only time that lump in my throat came back a little. When the film skips ahead to the present and we see the real people the movie is based on...that's when you see the reality of the story. It's too bad that the best part of the movie is the one not featuring the actors we've been watching for the previous 100 minutes. The movie ends up being another wasted vehicle for Cuba Gooding Jr. who still has yet to show any validity as to why he won the Oscar and another strong performance of Ed Harris that gets lost in a sub-par movie.
  
  

• Good Premise - Poor Movie

  
  By A3GRG1G1YV022G on 2003-10-29
  Radio, starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ed Harris, is the true story of a disabled South Carolina man (James "Radio" Kennedy) who was befriended by a football coach, school, and local community. The intentions behind the creation of Radio are good, but unfortunately the movie never fully explains, nor develops, the background of the central character enough to make us understand why there was such a sudden and overwhelming urge for other characters in the film to help him. The producers, writers, and directors of Radio could have told a story similar to that of Forrest Gump, but Radio does not even come slightly close to the 1994 best picture winner. Instead of developing the same type of solid characters, quality story, and authentic emotion that Forrest Gump did, Radio becomes wildly sentimental and far too maudlin. Its simplistic, child-like plot almost makes you think that Captain Kangaroo was the writer and Mr. Rogers the director. Radio has a noble concept and a good premise, but those two elements alone do not make it a good movie.
  
  
• Everyone likes it!
  By on 2004-02-04
  This movie seems beloved by all. It is my firm belief that the trees are obstructing the view of the forest in this situation. The actual story is an outstanding one. The actors have terrific reputations. Sorry, that is it.

  Hollywood has taken a feel-good article out of the "Living" section of the Sunday newspaper and neutered much of the realism. This story takes place in Anderson, SC but approximately 10% of the characters have Southern accents. In addition, there are NO racial tensions in the movie (I am from the South and love the South, but this movie is set in rural SC in 1976).

  I wanted to stop agreeing with the antagonists but the script gave me no reason to:
  *Radio disrupts practice and takes much of Coach Jones' time.
  *Coach Jones interrupts the neglect of his family just long enough to toss them an occasional "how ya' been?"
  *Radio sits in class with mainstream students.
  *Radio runs into the girls locker room (yes, funny, but if you have a 14 year-old daughter, do you want a grown handicapped man seeing her bathing suit parts?)

  Another wall I couldn't get over was the instantaneous acceptance of Radio by the town's members. Similar to Wacko calling himself the King of Pop an infinite number of times, Coach Jones dismisses all of Radio's critics with "But, it's Radio!" The brain-dead characters in the movie then echo, "Oh, yes, it is Radio indeed. We love Radio. And we love the King of Pop, Michael Jackson." AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! The crowd at Radio's first game chants his name. What? He hasn't been to any other games and this is a football town like the one in Varsity Blues. Imagine if, during Varsity Blues, the crowd started paying attention to the handicapped guy in the front instead of the action on the field. That is this whole movie.

  Crap review, I know, but I don't care that much. Basically, I like the real Radio and think the story is a nice one. The key word in the last sentence is "nice." It belongs in Reader's Digest or a church sermon. It may just be one of those stories that requires narration to explain the school population's zombie-like transformation into Radio adoration. It warms my heart that some people liked the movie subtitled "Slow Rudy," but I just needed more explanation. Needless to say, I don't refer to Halftime Janet's white sister as The King of Pop.
  
  

• Mawkish and insipid
  By AEG3I82BVE2ZK on 2005-03-02
  Cuba's performance is an embarrassment, and the script is so laden with well-meaning platitudes that it grows nauseating after a while. I felt bad for Gooding; he really seemed desperate for another Oscar nomination, and to my eyes he seemed to be trying way too hard. Toward the end it gets so sugary sweet I felt my teeth begin to ache.
  
  Unless you're easily manipulated by cheap sentiment, or are a sucker for "inspiring" true stories, then stay far away. I had to turn off this movie several times and walk away, just to control my gag reflex, it was so bad. I'm amazed people are giving it such good reviews...but then, there are people who will praise anything.
  
  
• Brings A Tear...
  By AY735HTPY4MV3 on 2005-11-27
  Wow...I just saw this movie and I just really enjoyed it immensly! I really hope that you would take time from your schedule and watch this movie. It is so powerful and moving that it will bring a tear to your eye.
  
  
• Tune your brain to the right frequency and see this movie!
  By A3EJYJC25OJVKK on 2003-11-07
  "Radio" is one of the best movies of 2003 and is a very touching story. The movie is based on a true story of a mentally handicapped young mane named James Robert "Radio' Kennedy who got his nickname `Radio' from a habit of carrying a small radio device in his shopping cart since his childhood as he walked by the high school to watch the football games and practices. A coach for Hanna High School in South Carolina named Harold Jones sees `Radio' numerous times who walks by the school sidewalks during practice and during the games and decides to bring him into the games after Radio takes a football which was kicked out of the field and keeps it. It is around this point when Harold Jones invites Radio to join the assistant coaching staff. However, some school staff and parents of the other students feel highly reluctant to keep `Radio' on the job as assistant coach believing that he is only being used but Harold Jones completely objects to the officials desire to remove `Radio' from the school.

  If you enjoyed "Remember The Titans", you are destined to enjoy "Radio" a lot as it deals with similar issues of prejudice in schools around this time although in a different light. Both of these movies are based on rather turbulent times during the immediate aftermath of the Civil Rights Movements of the late 1960s and early 1970s and the bigoted attitude that still was lingering in many schools around that time. The differences between is that "Remember The Titans" involves the team with an African-American as their new coach, learning to reject prejudice against non-whites and do some teamwork with their coach Herman Boone, "Radio" involves the powerful but true story of a guy who goes from being an outcast on the streets (he's not homeless) to becoming one of the most beloved assistant coaches the high school has ever had. "Remember The Titans" sheds light on overcoming prejudice against non-whites, "Radio" in a way involves a much more complicated issue of welcoming severely handicapped individuals into the fold as the number of mentally handicapped people is likely to only get larger in the foreseeable future (Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, etc.).

  (There could be some Minor movies spoilers possible ahead but hopefully not)

  James Radio Kennedy is still assistant coach at the Hanna school and is now in his 50s and still improves people's lives at the school and brings more victories to his high school football teams. According to the movie, Harold Jones is now retired but is still in close touch with `Radio' to this very day. I've been reading some articles while net researching on `Radio' and it says that In reality though, there was no record of Harold in fact ever retiring and is probably still coaching there for all I know. Some of the timeline elements are different from the real life times when the events in this movie occurred. While the movie takes place in 1976, `Radio' himself was made assistant coach way back in 1964, not in 1976. He himself was the victim of some cruel pranks early in his career but not the one shown in the movie but one was worse. But through it all, it's absolutely amazing to learn that `Radio' went from an outcast who could hardly write or read to becoming one of the most well-known and beloved assistant coaches ever at the school.

  Cuba Gooding Junior delivers a heart-wrenching yet joyful acting portrayal of James `Radio' Kennedy and in here, Gooding has never been better in any other movie I've seen him in so far. Excellent job! Everyone else does a fantastic job of playing their characters as well especially Ed Harris as Harold Jones. I felt ticked off at the character Johnny Clay's behavior at the beginning of the movie although he gradually came out and opened up to `Radio'. However he shows the cold hard truth of how pranksters can really regret their actions later on.

  While some of the elements of the story are altered from what actually happened in `Radio's real life, this is a very true story and is a very uplifting example of how even some who have severe psychological conditions can become very powerful and beloved individuals. It also brings to mind the sad truth of how a lot of mentally ill patients are completely neglected on the streets and the tragedy of what these individuals face on the streets (crime, adverse weather conditions, speeding traffic, dire poverty, police brutality, etc.) and the consequences of such neglect by others. "Radio" though is a shining example of how even people with handicaps like `Radio' himself have can show unbelievable courage and bravery to become respected idols for generations to come.

  Some may believe that "Radio" may rely too much on sentimentality but I beg to differ. I for one am glad that Hollywood at least for once, managed to put out a clean, and sweet movie free of the excessive levels sexual content, foul language, and excessive pointless violence of a lot of other movies these days. There are quite a lot of mentally handicapped people in this country and the number is only going to increase in the foreseeable future but seeing this movie is very uplifting as `Radio' would likely have long been deceased by now had Coach Jones not hired him as assistant coach but thanks to Jones, "Radio" Kennedy is one of the most beloved coaches in this country. Whatever happened, they sure tuned into the right frequency with this movie. Go with a friend, go with a date, or even go alone but whatever the case I strongly recommend that you tune into the right frequency and see this movie today. It's brilliant, it's sad, it's happy, all in one and is one of the best movies of the year so far.
  
  

• HEARTWARMING TALE
  By A3LZGLA88K0LA0 on 2005-11-07
  It would be hard not to like a film whose heart and intentions are so well grounded. RADIO tells the true story of a mentally challenged young man who is taken under the wing of a kindly coach and becomes a legendary icon to the townspeople and young boys he come in contact with. There are the expected villainous turns as some people find Radio's contact with the football team distracting and unacceptable. But the movie flawlessly shows how Radio becomes a better person as do the people he affects. Cuba Gooding Jr. interprets rather than inhabits his role, but he does a good job in conveying the physical and emotional handicaps he overcomes. Ed Harris is superb as Coach Jones, the kindly man who works with Radio, even at the cost of losing time with his wife and daughter (Debra Winger in a marvelously underplayed role and Kate Drew who is excellent as the daughter). Great support too from M Ephata Mekkerson as Radio's mother; Alfre Woodard as the principal and Chris Mulkey as the jock and prejudicial father of one of the "badder" boys. All in all, a tearjerer that is propelled in my opinion more by Harris' performance than Goodings.
  
  
• Radio Plays Well
  By A1YTE46F8UY1TT on 2003-10-19
  I saw the sneak preview of RADIO and found it a good movie. Not a great movie, which it could have been, but better then the crap that was out this summer. I love going to movies especially when they are well written and do not make you check your watch to see how long you have to endure this IQ robbing film. RADIO did not make me look once. I rank it up with the best of 2003 along with Pirates of the Caribbean and Second Hand Lions. It is well worth the money?..
  
  
• Stellar
  By A1UPQKV2I92Z00 on 2003-10-28
  One of the best movies I have seen in my life, period (and I've seen a LOT of movies-I'm 48). Outstanding story, well acted, well-written. I can't offer enough superlatives. Rarely does a movie come along with this good a story that is so well-delivered by everyone involved.
  
  
• Good Acting But Not a Good Movie!
  By A1R2URG8OHNEDS on 2003-11-09
  "Radio" is the story of a man who meets a boy who changes a town. Sounds sappy, eh? Well that's the charm of "Radio" but charm was not enough to win me over and give this movie a better rating.

  The movie stars film veteren Ed Harris and a star who I believe will become a future veteren actor Cuba Gooding Jr. Most of Gooding's movies are good. I heard good things about "Jerry McGuire," "Men of Honor," and "Pearl Habor." I saw him in "Rat Race," "Snow Dogs," "The Fighting Temptations," and was probally one of the only people who liked "Boat Trip." But when these two great actors come together, you would think that it would make one heck of a movie. But people are wrong all the time and I was just wrong thinking of it being a great movie. The problem with "Radio" did not rest with the performances of the actors. All of the actors put there best into the role, but the problem was that the script and the story was too weak. Too sappy. Too much. I felt like I was watching the same thing that I've seen in tons of other films. It was just another tearjerker about a mentally challenged person who changes a life or many lives. That genre is just getting old.

  The movie starts with a young man named James Robert Kennedy, played by Cuba Gooding Jr. He is pushing a shopping cart down a dirt road, having fun. Every day he does this and he passes the sports field where he sees Coach Harold Jones helping his football team pratice for the upcoming season. The team includes Johnny, son of banker Frank Clay. Also couching team is Honeycutt. Harry focuses on football all the time during the season which neglects his wife Linda and their teenage daughter Mary Ellen who is a cheerleader for the team. Though Harry discovers James when the other boys on the team are making fun of him. He nicknames his Radio and brings him home to his mother, Maggie. Harry lets Radio hang around on the field bu Frank believes that he is becoming a disraction and the football team is becoming less of a team, and more of a social club. Then harry lets Radio sit in his class. Harry is a teacher at the school. Principal Daniels has a problem with that since Radio is not an official student. Problems arise from Radio in his personal life as they begin to educate him and learn more about how his father died, how his mother always works long hours at a hospital, and how he is just like all of the other kids, just a little different then them.

  The acting was amazing. I've stated that already, but I just want to stress the point. Gooding Jr. especially. He was just amazing. He played the part of Radio so well, that people who never saw that actor would probally think that the actor was an actual mentally challenged person. All of the actors put so much love in their characters. Whenever you saw Radio on the screen, you just had to smile because he was so innocent. He did nothing wrong, yet half of the town is angry at him just for being different. But they are really just scared. They are scared of what they believe is not normal, when Radio is just as normal as you and me. It's a sad thing, being angry at innocent things, at different things. Because in exterior does not matter. Towards the end of the movie Ed Harris says that they havn't been teaching Radio, he's been teaching them. Radio has been teaching them. He taught them that it is ok to be scared of things you don't understand, but it wasn't ok to take out angry on them because of their difference.

  ENJOY!

  Rated PG for mild language and thematic elements.
  
  

• Hollywood finally got it right!
  By on 2004-01-24
  Radio is perhaps the best movie I've seen in years and deserves to be in every home, school, and library. It's message is a wonderful lesson for all of us: One person standing up for what is right can make a huge impact on the lives of others. The coach is a very positive role model, especially for boys, and Radio shows us what true forgiveness really means. I loved this movie when it was in the theatres, and I'll be purchasing this great family movie (not for most children under 10 though) to enjoy over and over again. It's even better than Remember the Titans, which is another favorite of mine. By the way, these two films focus on football, a sport I don't particularly care for and never watch. Radio, like Titans, isn't about football; it's about interpersonal relationships. A chick flick? Not exactly, but wives will enjoy this one every bit as much as their macho hubbies. No sex scenes either, which we can do without. Even the girl's locker-room scene was tasteful. You should buy this movie and use it as a springboard for some serious discussions. Just a wonderful, wonderful movie.
  
  
• sentimental but hard to resist
  By A19ZXK9HHVRV1X on 2004-11-16
  
  
  
  "Radio" tells the true life story of a high school football coach who befriends a severely mentally retarded young man (whom they nickname "Radio" because he loves listening to the radio so much), lets him hang out with the team, and, thereby, changes not only the boy's life but the lives of just about everyone in the South Carolina town in which they live. When Radio's behavior on the sidelines begins to serve as a distraction during the games, some of the less sympathetic, diehard football fans of the town make an effort to downplay his role or eliminate his presence altogether.
  
  Set in 1976, "Radio" is a thoroughly predictable, sentimental heart tugger that will have people either gagging on the syrup or crying in their popcorn. For all its heavy handed manipulation, however, "Radio" turns out to be a pretty decent little film due, primarily, to the superb performances by Ed Harris and Cube Gooding Jr., and to the fact that the movie doesn't overplay its hand as often as it might. In fact, it wisely underplays much of the conflict, allowing the moments of quiet subtlety to predominate. As played by Harris, Coach Jones is a solid, decent, caring man who can't help but give his love to a fellow human being who needs it. Harris' soft-spoken strength makes us believe in the goodness of the man. The film does an effective job conveying the incredulous reactions of many of the otherwise well-meaning town folk, as even Radio's own mother asks Joe why he is doing what he's doing. The scenes between Jones and this woman, lovingly played by S. Epatha Merkerson, are some of the finest in the film. The movie also isn't afraid to confront the issue of whether the people of the town - and that includes Jones himself - aren't actually being patronizing towards Radio in their treatment of him, and whether he isn't more of a "mascot" for the team than a bona fide member. Gooding Jr. slips effortlessly into the role of Radio, making him a compelling figure even though he has virtually no lines of dialogue in the movie. Alfre Woodard is excellent as the caring but nervous school principal who sees Radio's presence on campus as a potential threat to student safety, but who has enough faith in Jones to give Radio a chance to prove himself. It's nice to see Debra Winger in a movie again, although her role as Jones' ever-patient, ever-supportive wife, doesn't give her much room to strut her stuff as an actress.
  
  There's no denying that "Radio" is a humanity-of-man type film that could easily set the teeth on edge with its Goody Two Shoes philosophy of life. Be that as it may, "Radio" turns out to be a warm, uplifting film that even Scrooge would probably like.
  
  
• RADIO
  By A1I9I9A1PN8EHS on 2006-03-26
  a true story of friendship, where the people you least expect teach great lessons of love, of life... Radio made the lifes of the people he touched, better, and managed to bring a whole community together....
  
  
• "Radio" hits the right frequency
  By A103KNDW8GN92L on 2003-10-27
  "Radio" is not your typical "against all odds" saga, as finely polished performances from both Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Ed Harris will attest to the above fact. Based on a true story, "Radio" focuses on the hardships of a mentally disabled man (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), who is scoffed at by the locals in a small South Carolina town. Moving about evasively with a shopping cart filled with "goodies" along a backwoods road, the film's subject just goes from point A to point B in roundabout fashion, being virtually ignored by everyone, until an incident which occurs at a local high school changes this man's life. He then crosses paths with the high school varsity football coach (Ed Harris), who gives Radio an honorary position on the team as a "waterboy" of sorts. This young man begins to win many a heart of nearly everyone on the team, including the citizens of the hometown. Besides the coach, Radio's biggest fan is his mother, who just gloriously basks at the sight of her son's accomplishments. Since Radio enamorates such a bold and enlightening presence around the football squad, he is then given an opportunity to blend in with the student body, and enrolls in the eleventh grade. Persistence pays off, as this determined young man begins to pronounce words unknown to him before, thus gaining Radio a newfound self-confidence. Also contained within this uplifting motion picture, is a touching scene that will leave one emotionally shaken. While "Radio" is not your typical "Win One For The Gipper" movie, it is not devoid of the thematic meaning the film's storyline conveys (as is the case in some similarly themed motion pictures) - that being it is not just about sports, but is about persevering against the odds and showing everyone that no obstacle is too big or too small to overcome, regardless of one's physical size or personality type. Alfre Woodard displays an Oscar-caliber performance as the school principal who's doubtful of Radio's presence on campus. Above all, "Radio" hits the right frequency, and is static-free, regardless of the station it's tuned to. It's playing (in stereo, of course) at a theater near you. Get tuned, real soon!
  
  
• Touching!
  By on 2003-11-08
  My class went to see this movie on a field trip. Some of them thought it was boring, but I think it is cause they dont really have any emotional feeling or understanding for the plot. However the story is so touching and has a great moral, and loads of us students got that too. I am never going to forget this movie. When I think of it today, I still get tears in my eyes. It was so sad! Normally I just think, "Oh its just a movie," but the thing is that this is based on a true story and also it affects loads of peoples lives, including mine. What is so important to me is helping people with disabilities. I cried when Radio started crying cause football was over, I felt so bad for him - I could feel his innocence and pain. Then when his mom hugged him I felt my heart, like, lurch. I really cried when his mom died. I felt so sorry and bad for him, especially since it was just after Xmas and he is such a sweet innocent person! And also, I dont no why but when he got the radio for Xmas and was dancing, that touched me. I felt so bad and had tears when he got arrested, cause it was Xmas and he was so scared and so innocent. Anyways, this movie really touched me and I will carry it with me forever. I would go see it again but it was so sad that I don't think I will for awhile. I loved it though.
  
  
• Great Acting, But Pretty Slow Paced
  By ADLN37B0153N on 2003-12-02
  James Robert Kennedy (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), better known as Radio, has been wandering the streets of his small South Carolina hometown for as long as anyone can remember. Most people leave him alone, knowing that he is harmless, and hardly anyone even really sees him anymore as he pushes his shopping cart around. But one day, Coach Jones (Ed Harris) finds a few of his star football players picking on Radio and he is intrigued and wants to find out more about him. It is obvious that Radio is a little "different" and more than a little slow, but there is something about him that touches Coach Jones' heart. To try and make it up to Radio, Coach Jones invites him to help out at the football practices and Radio is slowly adopted by the team. Unfortunately, not all of the ball players and townspeople are ready to accept Radio and invite him to be a part of their lives. As Coach Jones becomes more involved in the life of Radio, he is forced to make some difficult decisions in his own life and to see himself - and his family - in a whole new light.

  Ed Harris, who played Coach Jones, and Cuba Gooding, Jr., who played Radio, were both superb in this film. Gooding did a fabulous job of playing the sweet, innocent Radio who honestly believed that everyone liked him and wanted to help him. His performance was definitely a highlight of this film. Harris also did a great job as a gruff, tough, small town football coach who discovers that he does have a heart after all. The supporting cast was also excellent and I cannot think of anyone who was miscast in the film. My major complaint is that the film is very slow paced and nothing really happens. I enjoy a good drama as much as the next person, but the film was billed as a kind of sports-drama so I was thinking of something along the lines of Remember the Titans with some more action and some comedy thrown in. There are little bits of comedy and little glimpses of action, but just about all of them are shown in the trailer. On the plus side, there is nothing inappropriate in the movie so the whole family can go and see it together. If you are in the mood for a nice, slow-paced, feel good movie than this is a great pick for your evening.
  
  

• Heart-warming story
  By A1IOJE0W1NXOSE on 2004-01-31
  Cuba Gooding plays a mentally-retarded young man who likes to push his grocery cart past the high school football field and watch boys live out a life he can only dream of. Ed Harris, who plays coach Harold Jones, notices the young man and encourages him to be a part of the team by helping out with odd jobs. The young man is dubbed "Radio" because he carries around a radio and is always listening to music. The coach introduces himself to Radio's mother and gains her trust by his caring approach to her son. Soon Radio becomes an integral part of the team and the high school, but not without some opposition from students and their parents who don't understand him. Ed Harris and Cuba Gooding turn in standout performances in this movie which is based on a true story. It's guaranteed to melt your heart.
  
  
• Deeply Disappointed
  By A3DCCKYF7RRVGV on 2004-02-21
  I am a lifelong fan of the highly under-appreciated Ed Harris, and I have admired Cuba Gooding Jr. in at least two of his roles. It was painful to watch the talents of these two actors, struggling with the burden of carrying a bad film, so woefully wasted. The script is trite and predictable. Supporting actors are expected to make dreadfully sterotyped characters believable and, with few exceptions, they fail. I have to agree with the reviewers who thought the film an insult to the handicapped "star" of this true story. What a disappointment!
  
  
• I love this movie!
  By AKGVUQJZBEPN0 on 2004-10-10
  I had heard mixed reviews about this movie so I delayed seeing it. I loved Cuba in Jerry Maguire. But this movie kept showing up on my amazon list of movies I might be interested in. So...I watched it last night. I didn't know what to expect. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop but it didn't and I'm glad. I loved this movie and will be adding it to my collection. Cuba played a charming Radio! Ed Harris was wonderful and I was surprised to see Debra Winger (a fav of mine) playing such a quiet role. Such an uplifting movie! So glad I watched it. I'm going to stop paying so much attention to reviews..
  
  
• RADIO made me want to go out and do something good!
  By A1MIJKZQ1MIRBM on 2003-10-25
  When I first saw the trailer for RADIO I thought it looked really cheesy. I thought surely that it was going to be a lame attempt by star Cuba Gooding Jr. to acknowledge to his fans that he knows he's been wasting his talent in films such as BOAT TRIP, SNOW DOGS, and RAT RACE. So, needles to say I wasn't that excited about seeing the film. However, my mom and my brother came to visit and it was the one movie they and my girlfriend and I could all agree on watching. And I'm happy to say my thoughts based on the trailer were proven wrong.

  RADIO is a wonderful film! As a matter of fact it is never cheesy and it never lays on the sap as I had initially thought it would. Instead it does just the opposite and is very subtle in it's emotions. I was as uplifted by RADIO as I have been by any film in recent memory. Cuba Goodings Jr.'s performance of the title character isn't only great it's incredibly brave. He isn't given much dialogue and yet he still really lets you know who his character is and what he's all about. This is the only noteworthy thing the actor has done since "showing the money" in JERRY MCGUIRE but it's been worth the wait. Not that I put that much stock in Oscar after the decisions the Academy has made in the past couple of years but if Cuba Gooding, Jr. isn't nominated for Best Actor it will be a crime. So far, there hasn't been a better performance this year. What else can I say? His portrayal is flawless and inspiring. Ed Harris is in fine form as well. Actually, I've never seen a movie Ed Harris wasn't good in so that should come as no surprise.

  I love films like RADIO. It's the type of film that makes me want to literally stand up and cheer. After watching this film, it made me want to go out and try and be a better person. You know, give someone a helping hand. And if a film's capable of doing that to a person, especially me, then it must be powerful!

  A-
  
  

• This is a great movie
  By A1LVFV44TPY34W on 2003-11-02
  This is a movie about a handicapped guy who walks around with a cart. He gets a chance to help coach a football team, and it makes him happy. It also makes him do good stuff. In the face of opposition from parents and others who didn't think this young man was capable of anything, Radio manages to overcome everything and acheive his dreams, however simple they may be. This movie has a good moral, and is definitely worth seeing.
  
  
• A PASSABLE FEEL-GOOD FILM
  By A1L8HRCM60W0W7 on 2004-02-15
  When you see the real "Radio" during the closing credits, you see that Cuba Gooding does a passable job of capturing his nuances. The expressions are good, but not amazing.

  The moving story is based on an actual ongoing friendship in South Carolina between a white football coach and a mentally disabled black man. While the theme itself is very touching, has great lessons for us all, and all that, it really should have remained as the 4-page article in Sports Illustrated. It's too drawn out and simplistic to make into a movie. Little surprise then that the film is sappy, overtly "look I am so moving", and overwrought. Plus, it is paced very very slowly.

  It is good to see Debra Winger again, but not in the role of the coach's homey wife. She gets about 10 minutes of screen time in all. Cuba Gooding is better in this than in "Fighting Temptations" or "Boat Trip", but that is faint praise. Ed Harris does well in these quiet, patient roles ("Monster's Ball," for e.g.) so he is adequate.

  A passable feel-good flick, good to watch with kids perhaps. Hard to give it more brownie points than that.
  
  

• Disgrace
  By A3OR2OWE33R7HI on 2004-02-19
  This review refers to the Theater version of the movie and not the DVD version. It must be that we here in the Bahamas got an unedited first cut of the movie, because in almost every scene microphones were literally hanging visibly over the actors' heads. Cuba was very unconvincing and I am surprised that no one else seems to think so. The only other movie that he was in that was worse than this was Boat Trip. I do not think he can recover from performances like these... BAD MOVIE
  
  
• Oscar Worthy?
  By A2KP5E5HPVU7XG on 2004-03-13
  No, this movie wasn't nominated for an Oscar but it should have been. Has Ed Harris every done a better job in a movie besides his effortless role in The Hours? He hit the nail right on the head with this one. I have never seen an actor grip the screen like he did. Alfre Woodward was excellent as usuall as the principal who questioned Ed Harris' character of becoming close friends with Radio. She far excceded her role in this movie than her last role in The Core. Last but certainly not least Cuba Gooding Jr. as Radio. Who honestly could have played that role any better? He made me laugh, almost cry, and feel pretty sad for the way he was treated in the beginning and all around good for the kindness that he showed to people who really wasn't that nice to him. Also, the actor's/actress' who played Ed Harris' daughter,wife, and assistant coach were good too. And lets not forget the actor who played the football player who wasn't very nice to Radio in the beginning and his father as well. WATCH RADIO IT IS TRULY A HEARTWARMER BECAUSE IT TEACHES EVERYONE HOW THEY SHOULD ACT TWARDS PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT. THIS MOVIE IS TRULY OSCAR WORTHY.
  
  
• A Kind Heart Can Soften Hard Hearts
  By A39WM5BQ54J8XY on 2004-04-09
  What director Michael Tollin has created in this movie, Radio, is a tale of innocence, affability, and kindness overcoming cynicism, callousness, and indifference. The title character, nicknamed Radio, played by Cuba Gooding Jr. is the youngest son of his widowed mother. He also happens to be mentally retarded. Set in 1976 in Anderson, South Carolina, the story itself begins well into Radio's life, at the age of seventeen. Because Radio's mother has to go it alone, she is forced to work endless hours in order to keep her head above water. Consequently, Radio is left to fend for himself each day for most of the day; yet, he is able to cope through it by keeping busy. Every day, he embarks on a daily journey through town with his trusty shopping cart and a few choice possessions to boot. Of particular interest to him is his radio of course, which if isn't already obvious, is his favorite possession.

  For years, Radio has walked along the same path, passing the same places everyday. Along Radio's daily travels is T.L Hanna High School. For years, Radio has passed by the school with little interest or attention given him by the faculty, staff, or students. Football season rolls around, and by twist of fate, Radio is put into a situation where he is noticed by the players and especially the coach, Harold Jones. Jones becomes intrigued with Radio, and goes out of his way to be kind him. Eventually, Coach Jones takes him under his wing, giving Radio an opportunity to help the team. Before long, Jones develops a bond with Radio and begins looking out for him as if Radio were his own son. With his newfound daily routine, Radio begins to gain some popularity and has a renewed sense of purpose.

  However, no one else is quite as taken with Radio as Coach Jones is at first. In fact, since Radio is truly different than most other "normal" people, he is seen as a freak by many. For the most part, Radio is able to disassociate himself from the malignant mistreatment he's gotten; but it is in these instances that examples of despicable, yet commonly familiar societal behaviors are played out before you. The dark and unkind side of human nature that is manifested in acts of mockery, marginalization, spitefulness, selfishness, contention, hate, impatience, and downright intolerance stare you right in the face. This movie has many scenes that should bring up memories to all of us who've witnessed or been involved in an appalling or inappropriate situation where we looked the other way and did nothing; a situation where we should've had the nerve or courage to do the right thing and take a stand against a particular wrongdoing.

  Coach Jones is a man of principle however, and he takes that stand indomitably. Radio's presence is not appreciated by some very influential people, and although Coach Jones gets a great deal of grief because of Radio, he is unflinching and stands firm in sticking up for him. At one point, Jones finally comes clean and tells of a time when, as a boy, he regretfully did not help someone in need. His actions with Radio are a largely influenced by the haunting guilt that he'd carried throughout his life because of this inaction as a boy. He had carried that guilt for so long that when he saw in Radio an opportunity to be free of remorse for his inaction, he instinctively acted on it. This childhood event and the subsequent feelings that Coach Jones lived through as a boy seems to be largely responsible for his Luke 10:30-37 heart, strong sense of benevolence, and integrity. Indeed, to coach Jones, Radio represents an opportunity for redemption.

  The beauty of the story though, is in how it reveals that kindness and love are the only way to counter and rise above darkness and negativity. Only light can extinguish darkness. While there are several characters that throughout the story represent the dark side of human nature, Radio's character, without question, represents the goodness and the light. It is his genuine enthusiasm, his pure and childlike innocence, his compassionate heart, and his benevolent spirit that shines magnificently. This story is an important lesson that should remind us of the value and dignity of every human life.

  For those interested, the true story of James Robert Kennedy, or "Radio," and his relationship with Coach Harold Jones of T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson, S.C., is depicted in a 1996 Sports Illustrated article by Gary Smith. That piece has been reprinted in the book, "Beyond the Game: The Collected Sports writing of Gary Smith."
  
  

• Tugs too hard
  By A1V3IO23FZFF9L on 2004-06-08
  Radio tug too hard on the hhard strings, and comes out a long, tedious movie. Good actors wasted. A better movie is "Remember the Titans."
  
  
• Radio.
  By A1RSR6J0BDV78K on 2004-06-21
  I would give this 5 stars and 4 boxes of hankies.

  In an age of movies with CG characters, special effects, and explosives....Radio is a breath of fresh air. It shows you do not need all of those things if the story teller is good at their job. This is the case here. All involved are excellent story tellers. This is a simple and powerfullly emotional film about a mentaly challenged man and the football coach who reached out and befriended him. It is a true story and Radio is still coaching 30 years later. It is a movie that teaches us the lessons of tolerance and respect. It is one of those very rare movies that you can sit down with the whole family and watch. Cuba turns in an incrediable performance especially considering that he has very few lines in the movie. If you thought his performance in Men of Honor was incrediable, then you will enjoy this. I saw it right after my husband got through watching the super bowl. When I came in I heard the announcer say those football players showed incredible spirit. Radio is the one who shows that, not over paid football players. This movie is so powerfull I went out and brought it so I can watch it again and again. And when my nephew gets old enough, I will sit him down and watch this movie with him and tech him about tolerance. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this 100.
  
  

• Remember the Titans (Widescreen Edition)
• Rudy (Special Edition)
• I am Sam (New Line Platinum Series)
• Coach Carter (Widescreen Edition)
• Glory Road (Widescreen Edition)