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47 of 47 found the following review helpful:
 Great movie with excellent performancesNov 09, 2003
By T O'Brien
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!
22 of 23 found the following review helpful:
Moving and Inspiring DramaJan 27, 2004
By Mark Baker
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.
24 of 26 found the following review helpful:
Radio - A touching true story!Jan 31, 2004
By K. Wyatt
"ssintrepid"
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}
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Brings A Tear...Nov 27, 2005
By Michael L. Matheny
"music fan"
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.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
HEARTWARMING TALENov 07, 2005
By Michael Butts
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.
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