HOOP DREAMS (1994)

Country: U.S.A.

Genre(s): Documentary

Director: Steve James

Cast: William Gates / Arthur Agee / Sheila Agee

Plot

Two talented inner city high school basketball players chase their ambitions to one day play in the National Basketball Association.

What I Liked

A powerful coming-of-age documentary but more than just that alone, “Hoop Dreams” also tackles everything from American racial and economic equality, celebrity worship, and education, among other social issues.  Perhaps most importantly, all of these themes are merely a backdrop to what amounts to an intimate and emotionally involving look at two young men and their families.  Part of what makes the movie so memorable are the real life characters involved and that some of their relationships and experiences are very relatable, no matter where or how you live.  You don’t need to be a basketball fan to find the movie interesting; your political leanings shouldn’t affect your ability to enjoy this movie; if you aren’t a documentary fan, you’ll find this one might change your mind; and living in a different country, or coming from a different background shouldn’t keep you from being moved by the sometimes painful, always honest depiction of family, ambition, and growing up.

Little about the scenes feel staged in this honest depiction of urban American life in the late twentieth century.  “Hoop Dreams” might be an excellent choice for a time capsule inclusion for those future anthropologists who might want an honest depiction of urban American life in the late twentieth century that is free of commercial or political propaganda.

What I Disliked

“Hoop Dreams” clocks in at 171 minutes.  At first glance, that length might be intimidating for some.  I know it was for me.  However, once I got about 40 or so minutes in and realized this wasn’t going to be just another “feel good” sports movie with a trite “follow your dreams” moral, I became supremely interested in how things would turn out for the film’s two likable protagonists.

Most Memorable Scene

Maybe half way through the picture, one of the young men in question, Arthur Agee watches silently as his father purchases drugs from some dealers on the basketball court.  Prior to this, there was little if any reference to the man using drugs.  He seemed a caring, sincere man.  To see him now as a junkie who openly buys drugs in front of his child is as shocking as it is disappointing. The presence of Arthur, who clearly feels pained and yet can only watch helplessly, only makes the moment that much more heart-wrenching.

My Rating: 4 out of 5