About an underdog tiny high school basketball team in Indiana that makes it to the State Finals, Hoosiers is everything you could hope from a sports film. The actors clearly know the sport and actually play it, so nothing looks "wrong." You care about the characters, and each is developed in individual ways. Plus, the film does a great job exploring both small town politics and how a sport can become so important to people that it overwhelms tiny, insignificant things like truth and justice.
Hackman brings his usual firebrand style of acting, and it fits his character perfectly. He has many great lines, and forms the heart of the film. As Hackman shines, so also does Hoosiers. But unfortunately, we also see why Hackman plays so few romantic roles in film. His kissing scene is painful in a "slobber all over her" kind of way. The other standout is of course Dennis Hopper, who plays the town drunk who is given a second chance.
Hoosiers has heart. It's often overlooked, but hey, Goliath might have overlooked David too.
Entertainment: 8/10
Artistic Value: 7/10
Technical Merit: 6/10 (loses a whole point for the music!)
Overall: 7/10
P.S. As a sports movie, and not compared to other films outside the genre, Hoosiers might score a 9/10.
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